Indigenous health in the Cerrado: The Inỹ Karajá in focus

Abstract

The health status of Indigenous populations in Brazil reflects historical violations that continue to affect their health indicators. This study analyzes the Inỹ Karajá, an Indigenous group from the Cerrado region of Goiás, focusing on barriers to healthcare access. This interdisciplinary research highlights structural and territorial obstacles that hinder the implementation of equitable public policies. Located in Aruanã/ GO, the Inỹ Karajá face challenges such as the distance to health units and reliance on river transport. The Araguaia Special Indigenous Health District, responsible for the area, operates with limited infrastructure and high staff turnover, leading to fragmented care. Major health issues include respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, hypertension, and diabetes, all exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which deepened food and sanitary vulnerability. The study emphasizes the urgency of public policies that integrate traditional knowledge and biomedical healthcare, ensuring culturally sensitive and territorially grounded care. Improving infrastructure, ensuring continuous professional presence in villages, and strengthening Indigenous management within the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem are essential to reducing inequities and promoting Indigenous well-being.