A formative intervention to strengthen health rights literacy, social participation, and local advocacy on chagas disease in brazil and paraguay
1
CUIDA Chagas Project, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2
Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
3
National Malaria Eradication Service (SENEPA), Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3269
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Social participation is a central component of health governance which enhances equity, accountability, and the effectiveness of health policies. In the context of Chagas disease (CD), marked by territorial inequalities, stigma, and barriers of access to care, initiatives of literacy in health rights and public policies are strategic to strengthen collective capacities and expand the leadership of community leaders. When supported by public authorities and civil society organizations, these initiatives reinforce political autonomy, enable advocacy in health rights and strengthen comprehensive care. 1,2
METHODS:
A formative intervention was conducted within the implementation study of the CUIDA Chagas project3, involving people affected by CD, family members, health professionals, and community leaders. The process included: (i) local mobilization and identification of leaders; (ii) a one-week intensive course; (iii) network articulation; and (iv) follow-up of local actions. Implementation took place in five municipalities in Brazil (2024–2025) and five in Paraguay (2025).4 In Brazil, the intervention included a policy-influence component designed to support the transition from capacity-building to concrete actions of social mobilization and advocacy.
RESULTS:
More than 125 community leaders participated. Greater appropriation of knowledge about CD and human rights was observed, along with diversification of engaged stakeholders and strengthened alliances. In Paraguay, the experience focused on the intensive course and stimulated interest in formalizing a national association of CD affected people. In Brazil, groups per municipality have been planning and carrying out community actions in education, mobilization, and policy influencing, discussing the formalization of collectives or civil associations and building alliances within municipal legislatures.
CONCLUSIONS:
By combining capacity-building, networking, and policy-influencing, the intervention demonstrates potential to strengthen social participation and advocacy in CD. Key challenges include sustaining leaders’ engagement and continuity over time and strengthening leaders’ capacity to mobilize resources and sustain network support.
Social participation is a central component of health governance which enhances equity, accountability, and the effectiveness of health policies. In the context of Chagas disease (CD), marked by territorial inequalities, stigma, and barriers of access to care, initiatives of literacy in health rights and public policies are strategic to strengthen collective capacities and expand the leadership of community leaders. When supported by public authorities and civil society organizations, these initiatives reinforce political autonomy, enable advocacy in health rights and strengthen comprehensive care. 1,2
METHODS:
A formative intervention was conducted within the implementation study of the CUIDA Chagas project3, involving people affected by CD, family members, health professionals, and community leaders. The process included: (i) local mobilization and identification of leaders; (ii) a one-week intensive course; (iii) network articulation; and (iv) follow-up of local actions. Implementation took place in five municipalities in Brazil (2024–2025) and five in Paraguay (2025).4 In Brazil, the intervention included a policy-influence component designed to support the transition from capacity-building to concrete actions of social mobilization and advocacy.
RESULTS:
More than 125 community leaders participated. Greater appropriation of knowledge about CD and human rights was observed, along with diversification of engaged stakeholders and strengthened alliances. In Paraguay, the experience focused on the intensive course and stimulated interest in formalizing a national association of CD affected people. In Brazil, groups per municipality have been planning and carrying out community actions in education, mobilization, and policy influencing, discussing the formalization of collectives or civil associations and building alliances within municipal legislatures.
CONCLUSIONS:
By combining capacity-building, networking, and policy-influencing, the intervention demonstrates potential to strengthen social participation and advocacy in CD. Key challenges include sustaining leaders’ engagement and continuity over time and strengthening leaders’ capacity to mobilize resources and sustain network support.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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