DGHI Impact Report — 2023-2024

Alisson Barbieri

Professor of Demography, Federal University of Minas Gerais
Belo Horizonte, Brazil

An expert in demography with an interest in sustainable development, Alisson Barbieri, Ph.D., has focused much of his research in recent years on changes affecting the more than 30 million people living in the Amazon. His work seeks to document the impact that rapid shifts in the region’s climate, economies and politics are having on the stability of its populations, including those in indigenous communities.  Based at Brazil’s Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), he has been collaborating with DGHI researchers since 2012, and currently serves as co-principal investigator, with DGHI professor William Pan, on a National Institutes of Health-funded project to improve response to malaria outbreaks in Amazon countries.  Barbieri, who earned a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was a visiting scholar at DGHI in spring 2024.

I am working to change

… the reality of poverty, inequality and high socioeconomic vulnerability faced by Amazonian populations, particularly the health outcomes of traditional indigenous and riverine populations. Their health has been greatly affected by land use and climate changes, which are altering the patterns and exposure to communicable diseases. Our goal, thus, is to understand the socioeconomic and environmental drivers of vector-borne diseases in order to better inform local and regional public health actions.

The biggest challenges we face

… is to undertake field research in environments where there is significant climate denialism and rampant violence, especially in areas associated with deforestation and illegal mining in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Furthermore, research on the Amazon requires large funding because of the high fieldwork costs, as well as the need to train qualified local personnel (including indigenous researchers).

Westernized scientific knowledge should not be seen as an immediate solution for these communities.
Westernized scientific knowledge should not be seen as an immediate solution for these communities.

Partnering with DGHI helps us

… to combine high-level scientific knowledge from researchers at the institute. Our association with DGHI also allows us to be part of a strong network of collaborators in academic and governmental institutions and NGOs in the U.S., Ecuador and Peru who are working to achieve these goals.

It’s important for our partners to

… understand the challenges of research in these contexts. Westernized scientific knowledge should not be seen as an immediate solution for these communities, and researchers should be sensitive to listen to and understand local knowledge and integrate it in the design of efficient health policies.

I am inspired by

… the students, public officers and community members we have trained during our research activities in the Amazon, and how they have been important agents fostering improved health outcomes and living conditions. Besides that, my main reward is to see that our research activities have been used locally and making an impact.

The biggest challenges we face

… is to undertake field research in environments where there is significant climate denialism and rampant violence, especially in areas associated with deforestation and illegal mining in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Furthermore, research on the Amazon requires large funding because of the high fieldwork costs, as well as the need to train qualified local personnel (including indigenous researchers).

Partnering with DGHI helps us

… to combine high-level scientific knowledge from researchers at the institute. Our association with DGHI also allows us to be part of a strong network of collaborators in academic and governmental institutions and NGOs in the U.S., Ecuador and Peru who are working to achieve these goals.

It’s important for our partners to

.. understand the challenges of research in these contexts. Westernized scientific knowledge should not be seen as an immediate solution for these communities, and researchers should be sensitive to listen to and understand local knowledge and integrate it in the design of efficient health policies.

I am inspired by

… the students, public officers and community members we have trained during our research activities in the Amazon, and how they have been important agents fostering improved health outcomes and living conditions. Besides that, my main reward is to see that our research activities have been used locally and making an impact.

In five years, I hope

… my research will contribute to increasing resilience and adaptive capacity in the Amazon, particularly in terms of reducing health and socioeconomic risks associated with climate change and poverty. I also hope that our research continues to integrate Westernized science and the local ancestral knowledge of traditional communities in order to achieve a more sustainable and balanced relationship between human populations and the environment. It is through this work that we hope to remove the invisibility of traditional Amazonian populations from public policies.

Alisson Barbieri Professor of Demography, Federal University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, Brazil An expert in demography with an interest in sustainable development, Alisson Barbieri, Ph.D., has focused much of his research in recent years on changes affecting the more than 30 million people living in the Amazon. His work seeks to document the impact that rapid shifts in the region’s climate, economies and politics are having on the stability of its populations, including those in indigenous communities.  Based at Brazil’s Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), he has been collaborating with DGHI researchers since 2012, and currently serves as co-principal investigator, with DGHI professor William Pan, on a National Institutes of Health-funded project to improve response to malaria outbreaks in Amazon countries.  Barbieri, who earned a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was a visiting scholar at DGHI in spring 2024. I am working to change … … the reality of poverty, inequality and high socioeconomic vulnerability faced by Amazonian populations, particularly the health outcomes of traditional indigenous and riverine populations. Their health has been greatly affected by land use and climate changes, which are altering the patterns and exposure to communicable diseases. Our goal, thus, is to understand the socioeconomic and environmental drivers of vector-borne diseases in order to better inform local and regional public health actions. The biggest challenges we face … … is to undertake field research in environments where there is significant climate denialism and rampant violence, especially in areas associated with deforestation and illegal mining in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Furthermore, research on the Amazon requires large funding because of the high fieldwork costs, as well as the need to train qualified local personnel (including indigenous researchers). Partnering with DGHI helps us … … to combine high-level scientific knowledge from researchers at the institute. Our association with DGHI also allows us to be part of a strong network of collaborators in academic and governmental institutions and NGOs in the U.S., Ecuador and Peru who are working to achieve these goals. It’s important for our partners to … .. understand the challenges of research in these contexts. Westernized scientific knowledge should not be seen as an immediate solution for these communities, and researchers should be sensitive to listen to and understand local knowledge and integrate it in the design of efficient health policies. I am inspired by … … the students, public officers and community members we have trained during our research activities in the Amazon, and how they have been important agents fostering improved health outcomes and living conditions. Besides that, my main reward is to see that our research activities have been used locally and making an impact. In five years, I hope … … my research will contribute to increasing resilience and adaptive capacity in the Amazon, particularly in terms of reducing health and socioeconomic risks associated with climate change and poverty. I also hope that our research continues to integrate Westernized science and the local ancestral knowledge of traditional communities in order to achieve a more sustainable and balanced relationship between human populations and the environment. It is through this work that we hope to remove the invisibility of traditional Amazonian populations from public policies.