Local communities, health and the sustainable development goals: the case of Ribeirão das Neves, Brazil

Abstract

Health is part of the Sustainable Development Agenda and local communities have an important role in the definition of their own development needs and in the discussion of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. A field survey using a validated questionnaire was applied to 336 extremely poor households in the Brazilian municipality. The study was a cross-sectional and observational and included also interviews with health care and social assistance professionals. Drug/ alcohol abuse was pointed as a major problem and improvements in security was considered important for a better quality of life. A disability prevalence of 14% was found. A reduction in the deaths rates caused by crimes and the prevention of disabilities should be included as health targets under the SDGs.