Seeking the recognition of voice disorder as work-related disease: historical-political movement
Maria Lúcia Vaz Masson1, Silvia Ferrite1, Luiz Marcello de Almeida Pereira2
1Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). R. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela. 40110-100 Salvador BA Brasil. masson@ufba.br.
Abstract:
The high prevalence of voice disorders among professionals who use their voice as a working tool, signals the existence of a collective illness caused by voice wear through poor working conditions and lack of social protection. This article describes the construction of a political movement seeking recognition of voice disorder as a work-related disease in Brazil. This is a narrative review on the historical processes, including social subjects, production of knowledge and the proposals for a strategic agenda, in view of the urgency of including voice disorder in the Brazilian Ministry of Health's list of work-related diseases. The analysis comprises three strands: a) technical and scientific, on advances in characterization of voice disorder and establishment of its connection with work; b) juridical and institutional, on legal recognition of this linkage; c) political and professional, on mobilization of social actors to advocate recognition of work-related voice disorders (WRVDs). The key role of the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo in fomenting discussions about WRVDs over the course of this movement lasting nearly two decades is highlighted, along with the main difficulties in achieving formal recognition of WRVDs .
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