Religions and health: the experience of the National Network of Afro-Brazilian Religions and Health

Abstract

The present report aims to show the experience of the National Network of Afro-Brazilian Religions and Health in the construction of a partnership with SUS (National Health System), the therapeutic practices used by the terreiros and the relationships of the Afro-Brazilian religiosity to injuries and diseases. The importance of body care to the Afro-Brazilian religions was the point-of-departure to carry out the experience of acting in network. In this experience, the leaderships of African religions underwent situations that promoted the understanding of the functioning of the National Health System/SUS, the evaluation of the services provided for the population, and the recognition of the importance of the social control of public health policies. The report also shows the establishment of an interlocution channel that promoted an approximation between the priests and priestesses of the Afro-Brazilian religious tradition and the health managers and professionals, facilitating the dialog and the proposition of health actions, respecting the culture and worldview of the terreiros. Finally, it presents some results and challenges faced by the National Network of Afro-Brazilian Religions and Health in its trajectory of actions in partnership with SUS.