Indicator of socio-environmental vulnerability in the Western Amazon The case of the city of Porto Velho, State of Rondonia, Brazil

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2014-09, Vol.19 (9), p.3809
• Main Authors: dos Santos Gonçalves, Karen, Alexandre San Pedro Siqueira, Hermano Albuquerque de Castro, Sandra deSouza Hacon
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Air pollution; Rural areas; Urban areas
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232014199.14272013

The accelerated process of urbanization in the State of Amazônia associated with changes in the patterns of exploitation of natural resources have resulted in several types of environmental impacts, such as urban air pollution produced by forest fires which alters the relationship between urban and rural areas and establishes new vulnerabilities. The scope of this study is to analyze the socio-environmental vulnerability in relation to forest fires and health effects in the urban area of Porto Velho, located in the Brazilian Amazon region. Data was analyzed using a synthetic indicator combining income and education aspects, housing infrastructure, environmental exposure and health effects. The findings indicate that 51% of the resident population, i.e. around 157,000 inhabitants, is exposed to conditions of high and extreme environmental vulnerability. Analysis of the dimensions used to construct the synthetic indicator reveals an intense heterogeneity in terms of socio-environmental vulnerability in the urban area of the city of Porto Velho. These results highlight the need for integrated actions from different government departments in order to enhance health promotion, ecological sustainability and also reduce social inequalities in health.