INSP Studies Indigenous Perspectives on Vector-Borne Diseases

Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP) is leading a research project in Chiapas that examines how indigenous communities understand and respond to vector-borne diseases, aiming to inform more culturally appropriate public health strategies in regions facing persistent health vulnerabilities.

Vector-borne diseases represent over 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide and cause over 700,000 deaths each year, reports WHO. These illnesses are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and flies and can be caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Malaria, a parasitic infection spread by Anopheline mosquitoes, accounts for an estimated 249 million cases globally and more than 608,000 deaths annually, with children under five years old representing the majority of fatalities. 

Dengue, the most widespread viral vector-borne disease, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and places more than 3.9 billion people in 132 countries at risk, leading to about 96 million symptomatic cases and around 40,000 deaths each year. Other viral diseases transmitted by vectors include chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and Oropouche fever. Despite their global impact, many vector-borne diseases are preventable through protective measures and community-based prevention efforts.

Through its Research and Teaching Group on “Pathogen-Vector Interaction and EcoHealth,” INSP is analyzing the social representations of vector-borne diseases among Zoque and Maya communities in northern Chiapas. The project is based on the premise that neglected tropical diseases extend beyond biological transmission and are shaped by social, cultural, environmental, and historical factors that influence community health outcomes.

Chiapas remains one of the Mexican states most affected by diseases transmitted by vectors, a situation driven by environmental conditions, climate patterns, and long-standing social inequalities. Indigenous and rural populations in the region experience disproportionate exposure to these diseases while also facing structural barriers to healthcare access, timely information, and prevention programs aligned with their cultural contexts.

The research initiative, titled “Social representations of vector-borne diseases and their impact on community health among Zoque and Maya peoples in Chiapas, Mexico,” seeks to examine how local interpretations of disease influence prevention practices and health-related decision making. Researchers are also assessing how perceptions of biodiversity loss relate to perceived health risks, as well as how official public health policies interact with local knowledge systems and care practices.

According to INSP, many health policies addressing vector-borne diseases in Mexico continue to rely on vertical approaches that prioritize standardized interventions while overlooking community-based knowledge. This dynamic, the project argues, can limit the effectiveness of prevention and control efforts in indigenous territories.

The study uses an intercultural and participatory methodology, with fieldwork conducted in six communities in northern Chiapas, including three Zoque and three Maya. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews, surveys and participatory mapping exercises, allowing researchers to engage directly with community authorities, local leaders, and health promoters.

This approach is intended to foster dialogue between traditional knowledge and scientific evidence, with the goal of supporting prevention and control strategies that reflect local realities. By integrating community perspectives, the project aims to contribute to public health models that address both epidemiological risk and social context.

The research is funded by the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (SECIHTI) and is being carried out in collaboration with the Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICACH), Chiapas’ Ministry of Health, the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, and the Center for Research on Infectious Diseases (CISEI).