When Magda Duarte was getting ready to post job vacancies for the 20th cohort of Brazil’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), she and her team noticed that the incoming cohorts were not representative of the rich diversity she witnessed during her travels to Brazil’s 27 states. She also knew that other sectors in Brazil were incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace strategies, and she felt the epidemiology training sector was lagging. Duarte and her team worked with Brazil’s Ministry of Health to start devising creative ways to create an inclusive training cohort, starting with the selection process of who would participate.
Duarte has been working in public health since 2016 with a specialty in data analysis and information systems in surveillance. Duarte completed the frontline and advanced levels of FETP and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Collective Health from the University of Brasília. Since 2022, she has led Brazil’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), also known as the Training Program in Epidemiology Applied to Services of the Unified Health System. The Brazil FETP is a member of The Task Force’s Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), a global network of FETPs in more than 165 countries and territories.
Responsible for FETP training at three levels – frontline, intermediate and advanced, and an advocate for the Brazil FETP program in her country and abroad, Duarte is a tireless champion for field epidemiology training.
“Every year, when we were selecting applicants for the Advanced Tier, we noticed that we were selecting people with the same profile. We don’t have a lot of data on this because historically, we did not collect data on race, gender and sexual orientation. We started collecting this data as the first step to understand who we are working with and who is studying with us.”
Duarte and her team want to ensure that every corner of Brazil is aware of FETPs, and therefore they are committed to making field epidemiology a safe space for historically marginalized people in Brazil.
“In the selection process for the 20th Advanced FETP Cohort in Brazil, we had an affirmative strategy that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion by reserving vacancies for indigenous, black and transgender applicants” said Duarte. “We also intend to strengthen field epidemiology in other Portuguese-speaking countries by offering slots for those that do not have Advanced Tier offerings.”
Duarte’s passion for working in FETP is rooted in her love of working with people in communities and being able to understand how she can work with her team to help communities in Brazil live happy and healthy lives.
“We are here because of people. We are making public policy for people, for our people, the Brazilian people. I think we can make an impact on people’s lives in many ways. We are here teaching people how to do epidemiology and surveillance so that they can go back to their states and make it better every day. We are responding to health emergencies and trying to mitigate the bad events. We don’t want any new cases or deaths. The FETP works for people.”
Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in FETP
In 2023, the theme of World Field Epidemiology Day was “Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Field Epidemiology” and people from all over the global network of FETPs shared their stories of creating an inclusive workplace for FETPs. Brazil proudly shared its story of how they are dedicated to make Brazil FETP a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Duarte is always willing to share what she has learned from leading an FETP and how she wants to empower people from all backgrounds to know that there is a place for everyone in the global FETP network.
“When you work in FETP, you start realizing that people make the public policies happen,” said Duarte. “People who want to learn. People who want to teach. People who are suffering from something. And we can make recommendations so we can change their lives. We can stop the spread of a virus. We can recommend changing a water source so they don’t get sick anymore. It’s all about people here. It doesn’t matter their position or who they are or what they do. We work a lot in prisons since they have many outbreaks. You have the right, a human right to water, to food, to health.”
The Importance of FETP Accreditation
In 2023, the Brazil FETP was re-accredited by TEPHINET with merit and distinction. The re-accreditation process was supported by The Task Force’s TEPHINET program. Accreditation is an opportunity for field epidemiology training programs to align with common standards that support quality training and increased recognition of their value in supporting country public health priorities.
Brazil’s recent re-accreditation and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to diverse FETPs and culturally sensitive and diverse public health work forces equipped to deal with the wide range of needs and challenges throughout Brazil.
Magda Duarte is making great strides to ensure that FETPs in Brazil can connect back to all of the country’s people, helping them to protect themselves, no matter who they are, no matter what they do and no matter where they live.
