Work

The Effect of Deforestation on COVID-19 Transmission to Indigenous Peoples in Brazil: A Panel Fixed-Effects Analysis Before and after Vaccination

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Brazil has the second-largest death toll during the COVID-19 pandemic, with indigenous peoples disproportionately affected among ethnic groups. Parallel to the pandemic, Brazil has recorded the highest rate of deforestation globally, with encroachments into indigenous territories. Using open access data and robust econometric techniques, we aimed to determine the effect of deforestation on COVID-19 cases in indigenous populations.Methods: The primary panel data at the municipality level covers daily data from March 2020 to September 2021, when the third vaccine dose roll-out was initiated. Key variables used are COVID-19 cases among indigenous peoples, deforestation alerts, and vaccination records. We used fixed-effects regression models to identify the main effects.Findings: Our main results for the pre-vaccination period indicate that a daily increase in deforestation per 100 km2 is associated, on average, with the confirmation of 1·33 [95% CI 0·395 – 2·267] new daily cases of COVID-19 among indigenous people 14 days after deforestation warnings. Our estimates suggest that deforestation explains at least 3% of all COVID-19 cases among indigenous populations. The association between the two variables disappears after the vaccination program. The conflict between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples is a relevant factor in explaining COVID-19 transmission through deforestation.Interpretation: Deforestation induced COVID-19 transmission to Brazil’s indigenous peoples before the vaccine roll-out. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing health from a broader perspective that incorporates environmental and equity considerations to inform policy-making.Funding Information: This study did not have a funding source.Declaration of Interests: None.

Source: PLOS Global Public Health

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004527

Authors: Humberto Laudares, Carolina Batista, Pedro Henrique Gagliardi, Rudi Rocha, Nicolas Ray

Institutions: University of Geneva, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Columbia University, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 epidemiological studies

Subfield: Modeling and Simulation

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Life on land, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100