Interdisciplinary and Participatory Research for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases in the Amazon: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review examines how interdisciplinary and participatory research has advanced the understanding and control of socially determined diseases in the Brazilian Amazon. The integration of social sciences into the Tropical Medicine Foundation Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado marks a shift from purely biomedical approaches toward those recognizing the cultural, environmental and territorial dimensions of health. Qualitative studies on snakebite envenoming among Indigenous populations revealed that treatment integrates biomedical and spiritual practices, highlighting the need for intercultural dialogue. In malaria elimination, research emphasized evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of new tools such as point-of-care G6PD testing and single-dose tafenoquine, demonstrating that understanding perceptions of innovations is indispensable for effective implementation. Studies on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and trachoma among Indigenous and urban populations illustrated how stigma, gender relations and structural inequalities shape health outcomes. Extreme climate events, such as the 2023 Amazon drought, exacerbate vulnerabilities by disrupting livelihoods and healthcare access. The article concludes by proposing an interdisciplinary research agenda aligned with Brazil's Healthy Brazil Program, emphasizing community engagement, intersectional analysis, One Health integration and implementation science as key strategies for equitable disease elimination in the Amazon.