BASIC SANITATION AND THE BLACK POPULATION: the veterinarian’s role in one health

Abstract

Basic sanitation is established as a right of every Brazilian citizen and is essential for maintaining the health of a society. The structuring of this sector in the country has been marked by racism, where access to these services primarily benefited the white population, while the Black population was excluded from this process, remaining exposed to various health-related issues. In light of the above, this study aimed to conduct an integrative literature review to understand the factors that led these individuals to experience deficits in sanitary conditions and to analyze the role of veterinarians in addressing this reality. The findings show that Black individuals in Brazil have had their rights to basic sanitation denied, making them the group most affected by illnesses and mortality resulting from this situation. It also demonstrates that veterinarians are essential professionals who can contribute to changes in this scenario.