Brazilian Culture

The Brazilian culture has a rich diversity predominantly influenced by the Portuguese customs, religion, and way of life but also from the indigenous African Americans and Native Americans that now represent Brazil. Most Brazilians come from European ancestry with a smaller percentage from African and Indian decent. Individuals in the Brazilian culture containing mixed African and European ancestry are referred to as “mulattoes.” On the other hand those from both Indian and European are called “mestizos.”(Martins & Momsen n.d). Brazil accounts for the smallest indigenous population in South America with only 0.4% of the total population being indigenous, with 98% located in the Amazon in the North region (Coimbra et al., 2013). The Northern
region is the poorest part of the country indicating disproportions within overall health care access and lower SES existing in the indigenous people. Brazil’s indigenous population has about 300 ethnic groups, validating this is one of the greatest places of ethnic diversity in the world compared to other indigenous populations. The First National Survey of the Indigenous People conducted in 2008-2009 has been an essential public health component in providing health and household information amongst this group of individuals (Coimbra et al., 2013). Recent studies prior to the National Survey conclude there are high morbidity levels caused by infection and parasitic diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and pneumonia within this population.
The National Survey states the indigenous people are disadvantaged in human waste management and trash disposal which is commonly burned or buried in the villages posing health concerns. Human waste is also of concern due to the lack of sanitary installation and many utilizing a pit latrine as a bathroom (Coimbra et al., 2013). Another area of concern the survey revealed was the source of drinking water amongst the villages of this population. Nearly half of the water is retrieved through an artesian well, followed by river reservoirs as the second most common and a shallow well and municipal system being among the least utilized (Coimbra et al., 2013). Although fluoridated water is available through the artesian wells and river reservoirs, the amount in unregulated with studies showing inadequate concentrations. This poses oral health concerns in regards to unknown amounts of fluoride being consumed by the indigenous people, especially the children. Not getting enough fluoride places this population at a higher risk of developing dental caries amid all ages, though significantly impacting the oral health outcome of the children’s permanent dentition. Getting too much fluoride puts this population at a higher risk of developing
fluorosis. Contrary to the Northern region, urbanization and the economy have progressed in the last decade causing Brazil to become crowded in major Southern cities, like Rio de Janeiro. In fact, the 2016 Summer Olympics will be in Rio de Janeiro making history by being the first city in South America to be chosen to host the Olympics. Traditionally Brazil has many holidays throughout the year celebrated but the Carnival is the most prominent and lively among all with nearly a million participating. The Carnival holiday is a four day pre-Lenten celebration stemming from the Roman Catholic religion and African ancestry (Martins & Momsen n.d).