Global diffusion of public policies during international health emergencies: analysis of the Brazilian response to the association between Zika virus and microcephaly regarding the rights of infected children and their families

• Grant number: 17/11581-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Political Science - International Politics
• Principal Investigator: Deisy de Freitas Lima Ventura
• Grantee: Cristiane Ribeiro Pereira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Relações Internacionais (IRI). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The signs of association between the Zika virus and cases of microcephaly in newborns led the Brazilian government to declare a "Public Health Emergency of National Importance" (PHENI), in November 2015, which persisted until May 2017. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC), in force between February and November 2016. The main objective of this research is to identify the possible influence of international law and International Organizations on public policies regarding children infected with the Zika virus and their families during this emergency, as well as an eventual influence in the opposite direction (from Brazil towards the international sphere). After reviewing the literature on the global diffusion of public policies (theoretical framework) and on the Zika epidemic in Brazil, there will be an analysis of international norms, recommendations, declarations, minutes of meetings, and other documents describing the positions and behavior of International actors in relation to the Brazilian response to the Zika epidemic regarding the rights of children and their families. Next, the Brazilian documents related to the response to the Zika epidemic will be studied and interviews of government managers, selected by sampling, will be carried out in search of evidence of institutional induction and international circulation of individuals. The results obtained in documentary research and in qualitative research will be discussed in the light of theories about the global diffusion of public policies. (AU)