Spread of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and a public health issue. The present study analyzed the spatial-temporal behavior of human visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. This ecological study used secondary data from DATASUS between 2010 and 2020. Male individuals, with brown skin color, and young adults with low education level were the most affected. The disease was reported in all Brazilian regions. The Annual Increase Rate was upwards in the South and downwards in the Midwest. The Northern and Northeastern regions had the worst rates of sanitary overload, illiteracy, and Gini Index. Social and health public policies must be established, aiming at improvements in the socio-economic and environmental conditions of vulnerable populations, which are at a higher risk of falling ill to human visceral leishmaniosis. Improving these conditions shall help with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, which shall result in quality healthcare and wellbeing for the population, regardless of Brazilian region.