Landless Workers Movement and rural healthcare: integrative review of the state of art

ABSTRACT This work aims to characterize the scientific material which has been produced about the Landless Workers Movement (MST) until 2016, with emphasis on the identification and analysis of those works that deal with the topic of 'Health'. This work also strives to identify this Movement's health practices, conceptions, and projects. This is an integrative review of the literature related to the issue at hand. Out of the 108 works analyzed, which were found in the BVS and Capes databases, 15 specifically dealt with health issues. The results show that due to the precariousness of the living conditions in the settlements, the residents, such as workers, women and children, were found to have numerous of their needs and health problems unaddressed. One can observe that among the Movement's leaders there is a comprehensive understanding of Health as well as different perceptions regarding the participation of the MST in the instances of social control of the Brazilian Unified Health System (known as SUS). The author concludes by directing the reader's attention to the fact that this is a topic that is still lacking more in-depth research. More studies need to be done on the movement, especially those that will further analyze the relationship of the MST and the Brazilian Health Reform.