**4. Globalization, consumption goods, and health in a local perspective**

This study attempted to analyze whether this insertion in the global economy, due to açaí exports, has impacted the quality of life and health of the population of Ponta de Pedras. Globalization of healthcare is a complex theme, due to its intricate and varied aspects, but an intriguing topic to be studied. Historically, international health relations have helped find the cure of many diseases and develop technologies to fight or mitigate epidemics.

The perspective of globalization in healthcare has strong consequences on demography, production, consumption, and the environment and reinforces the need for new approaches that consider the relations between local and global/universal aspects [26].

Brazil might be considered a predatory state, due to the over-exploitation of natural resources for more than three centuries, with little care for the environment: gold, iron, various agricultural products, nonrenewable natural resources and, in particular, the Amazon rainforest, with its biodiversity that has been highly valued until the present times [6].

The search for better living conditions, for many interviewees (49%), led to the migration from rural to urban areas. The reasons for this migration are varied: access to health services for 75% of the interviewees who were seeking medical specialists; access to a variety of stores;

Globalization and Health in a Small Town in the Amazon Region

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.79431

19

Regarding the access to technology, it provided new options to modernize the urban activities. Most interviewees reported they had a mobile phone because it was the easiest way of communication: 91% of them from the urban area and 79% from the rural area. In the rural area, the distance from the urban center of Ponta de Pedras reduces the reception quality,

Even among the population that earns less than one minimum wage, more than 40% buy high-cost mobile phones of famous brands. Some interviewees reported they buy high-cost mobiles to access apps that allow them to connect to Facebook®, WhatsApp®, internet, more

Half of the respondents (50%) answered they use their mobile phone to access internet because it is more practical and economically viable, besides allowing a better control of expenses with mobile credits; and some of them said they partially used their social benefits for this purpose. Young people use the cell phones more frequently to access the internet, since the elderly, due to their low educational level and poor familiarity with electronic devices, use fixed telephones to communicate. In rural areas, 81% of respondents said they did not know how to handle the device or access the internet, which is the responsibility of another family member, usually their children or grandchildren. In the urban area, 51% of the respondents answered they did not know how to access the internet

The internet is mainly used by the interviewees and their families to study (78%) and access social media in the urban area, and in smaller proportions in the rural area. Some interviewees reported it as an important means of communication because it enabled them to hear from family members and solve some health-related issues, such as setting medical appointments and exams. For a small portion of rural producers (3%), a mobile phone allows them to call açaí dealers to set the product price for the current harvest. They explained it helps them figure out how much they could profit from the harvest, since *paneiro* cost varies greatly. Small producers use mobile phones via satellite to check the price of the açaí *paneiro*, a very common practice in the globalized world, especially used by large companies that use technological benefits. It places global and local contexts closer, thus reducing the distance and access between people. The circulation, mediated by technology, is accelerated, in particular by the new forms of telecommunication via computers (networks) that constitute the material

However, this technological universe in Ponta de Pedras is a new world, something like a technological revolution in environment of the Amazon region, due to the conditions of access from long distances, or the cost of mobile phones, which for many residents is high. Despite that, 70% of the rural interviewees answered they had a mobile phone at home, and in

the urban area 80% answered they had two or more mobile phones (up to 6) at home.

and access to communication services, particularly mobile telephony and internet.

which is a constant complaint of the residents.

basis of the "space of flows of financial capital" [31].

advanced games, among other reasons.

via mobile phone.

Health in its full conception inevitably includes the economic development of countries [27]. The future of health depends more and more on new processes related to the advancement of globalization.

A recent report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on chronic diseases indicates that cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are the main causes of death in the world [28]. Of the 38 million lives lost in 2012 by chronic diseases, 16 million, or 42% were premature and preventable (an increase of 14.6 million deaths over 2000), and 80% of these deaths worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries [28].

The cities of the Amazon region, due to their geographic and population characteristics, and different aspects related to the development of public policies, are sensitive to environmental problems, which reflect in the quality of life and health of the population [29].

In this sense, studying the urban dynamics in the Amazon is critical to understand the healthdisease complexity in this vast territory [30]. The major challenge lies in the different spheres of power and should involve the articulation of a coherent model of development, which considers natural, social, economic, political, and cultural processes in order to minimize negative impacts on the population, especially to more vulnerable groups.

Thus, the globalization process imposes complex consequences on the least developed countries, and which are reflected locally.

## **4.1. Globalization and access to consumption goods**

Riverside families gained visibility and economic resources due to their acai production, but the resources did not bring many improvements in their living conditions. For the residents of Ponta de Pedras who work with açaí, in plantation, extraction or sale, the fruit has brought mainly increased purchasing power and access to consumer goods and communication technology.

This study showed that the globalization process in which Ponta de Pedras is situated was largely driven by changes in açaí trade at regional, national, and global levels. The investments made were destined mainly to provide internet access to the municipality and it was critical for its insertion in the commercial scenario. In an attempt to understand how this municipality is included in the context of globalization, the interviewees were asked about their access to technologies, especially telephones, social media, and consumer goods. This study found that the connection between the small community and globalization through the açaí economy, combined with the availability of electricity and the operation of communication services, has allowed the access to an infrastructure of communication such as the Wi-Fi and LAN centers, ensuring new technological spaces. In 2016, Ponta das Pedras became the first digital city in Marajó island, as optic fiber wire for high-speed internet was installed in public buildings and free Wi-Fi area was inaugurated in the main public square.

The search for better living conditions, for many interviewees (49%), led to the migration from rural to urban areas. The reasons for this migration are varied: access to health services for 75% of the interviewees who were seeking medical specialists; access to a variety of stores; and access to communication services, particularly mobile telephony and internet.

Brazil might be considered a predatory state, due to the over-exploitation of natural resources for more than three centuries, with little care for the environment: gold, iron, various agricultural products, nonrenewable natural resources and, in particular, the Amazon rainforest,

Health in its full conception inevitably includes the economic development of countries [27]. The future of health depends more and more on new processes related to the advancement

A recent report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on chronic diseases indicates that cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are the main causes of death in the world [28]. Of the 38 million lives lost in 2012 by chronic diseases, 16 million, or 42% were premature and preventable (an increase of 14.6 million deaths over 2000), and 80% of these

The cities of the Amazon region, due to their geographic and population characteristics, and different aspects related to the development of public policies, are sensitive to environmental

In this sense, studying the urban dynamics in the Amazon is critical to understand the healthdisease complexity in this vast territory [30]. The major challenge lies in the different spheres of power and should involve the articulation of a coherent model of development, which considers natural, social, economic, political, and cultural processes in order to minimize

Thus, the globalization process imposes complex consequences on the least developed coun-

Riverside families gained visibility and economic resources due to their acai production, but the resources did not bring many improvements in their living conditions. For the residents of Ponta de Pedras who work with açaí, in plantation, extraction or sale, the fruit has brought mainly increased purchasing power and access to consumer goods and communication technology.

This study showed that the globalization process in which Ponta de Pedras is situated was largely driven by changes in açaí trade at regional, national, and global levels. The investments made were destined mainly to provide internet access to the municipality and it was critical for its insertion in the commercial scenario. In an attempt to understand how this municipality is included in the context of globalization, the interviewees were asked about their access to technologies, especially telephones, social media, and consumer goods. This study found that the connection between the small community and globalization through the açaí economy, combined with the availability of electricity and the operation of communication services, has allowed the access to an infrastructure of communication such as the Wi-Fi and LAN centers, ensuring new technological spaces. In 2016, Ponta das Pedras became the first digital city in Marajó island, as optic fiber wire for high-speed internet was installed in

public buildings and free Wi-Fi area was inaugurated in the main public square.

with its biodiversity that has been highly valued until the present times [6].

deaths worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries [28].

problems, which reflect in the quality of life and health of the population [29].

negative impacts on the population, especially to more vulnerable groups.

tries, and which are reflected locally.

**4.1. Globalization and access to consumption goods**

of globalization.

18 Current Issues in Global Health

Regarding the access to technology, it provided new options to modernize the urban activities. Most interviewees reported they had a mobile phone because it was the easiest way of communication: 91% of them from the urban area and 79% from the rural area. In the rural area, the distance from the urban center of Ponta de Pedras reduces the reception quality, which is a constant complaint of the residents.

Even among the population that earns less than one minimum wage, more than 40% buy high-cost mobile phones of famous brands. Some interviewees reported they buy high-cost mobiles to access apps that allow them to connect to Facebook®, WhatsApp®, internet, more advanced games, among other reasons.

Half of the respondents (50%) answered they use their mobile phone to access internet because it is more practical and economically viable, besides allowing a better control of expenses with mobile credits; and some of them said they partially used their social benefits for this purpose. Young people use the cell phones more frequently to access the internet, since the elderly, due to their low educational level and poor familiarity with electronic devices, use fixed telephones to communicate. In rural areas, 81% of respondents said they did not know how to handle the device or access the internet, which is the responsibility of another family member, usually their children or grandchildren. In the urban area, 51% of the respondents answered they did not know how to access the internet via mobile phone.

The internet is mainly used by the interviewees and their families to study (78%) and access social media in the urban area, and in smaller proportions in the rural area. Some interviewees reported it as an important means of communication because it enabled them to hear from family members and solve some health-related issues, such as setting medical appointments and exams. For a small portion of rural producers (3%), a mobile phone allows them to call açaí dealers to set the product price for the current harvest. They explained it helps them figure out how much they could profit from the harvest, since *paneiro* cost varies greatly. Small producers use mobile phones via satellite to check the price of the açaí *paneiro*, a very common practice in the globalized world, especially used by large companies that use technological benefits. It places global and local contexts closer, thus reducing the distance and access between people. The circulation, mediated by technology, is accelerated, in particular by the new forms of telecommunication via computers (networks) that constitute the material basis of the "space of flows of financial capital" [31].

However, this technological universe in Ponta de Pedras is a new world, something like a technological revolution in environment of the Amazon region, due to the conditions of access from long distances, or the cost of mobile phones, which for many residents is high. Despite that, 70% of the rural interviewees answered they had a mobile phone at home, and in the urban area 80% answered they had two or more mobile phones (up to 6) at home.
