Health-disease processes among women agriculturalists in Central Amazon: work and environmental vulnerabilities

This study examined the health-disease process among women agriculturalists in traditional communities of the Central Amazon, focusing on the intersections between labor, environmental conditions, and social factors. Fieldwork was conducted in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve, using semistructured interviews and participant observation across five communities. Content analysis was validated by rarefaction and word co-occurrence techniques, confirming the adequacy of the sample and the obtained thematic categories. Results indicate that agricultural work contributes to women's health, autonomy, and dignity, while also exposing them to physical risks such as accidents and bodily strain. Care practices centered around traditional remedies and limited access to primary healthcare, which is hampered by long distances and resource shortages. Land conflicts, illegal land grabbing, and the impacts of major infrastructure projects, such as the Rio Negro Bridge and the proposed roads, further undermine healthcare provision. This study concludes that the multifactorial health-disease process is deeply tied to living and working conditions within a broader socioenvironmental context. Strengthening primary care and safeguarding traditional territories are essential to ensuring comprehensive health for these populations.