The Lancet Global Health: Brazil enters the Bolsonaro zone
Editorial Board

“The first day of 2019 saw Brazil inaugurate its new president, Jair Bolsonaro. … Bolsonaro did little in his inauguration speech to encourage those of us concerned with health and equity. … Many working in the public health field in Brazil are thus extremely worried. … Now is not the time for Brazil to be wavering in its commitment to equality. Already the poverty statistics are beginning to creep up…, Ministry of Health figures show that infant mortality has increased slightly for the first time since 1990, and the rights of minorities are under threat. In times of wider economic uncertainty, the [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), Brazil’s publicly funded unified health system,] and programs such as [Bolsa Familia, a conditional cash transfer program,] should be seen as precious resources in need of nurture, and the needs of the most vulnerable and out-of-reach should remain an utmost priority, regardless of politics” (2/1).