Abstract Objective Reflect critically on the strategy to combat endemic diseases adopted in Brazil and how it relates to sustainable development. Methods This is an essay based on historical materialism and the concrete experiences of the vector control workers (VCW) of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Results The strategy for combating endemic diseases adopted in Brazil, focused on eliminating vectors through the use of agrotoxics (pesticides), including some banned in other countries, subjects the environment, the population and, mainly, the VCW category to exposure to harmful substances that cause various damages to health and life. Conclusion The VCW work process is a concrete demonstration that sustainable development is not actually practiced; it is, in fact, an ideology of the capitalist system.
Neves et al. (Wed,) studied this question.