Evangelicals, ‘neoconservative agenda’ and women’s health policy: a narrative review (2016-2021)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to analyze the literature on the demographic growth and political action of evangelicals, especially in the context of the National Congress, in particular, with regard to women’s health policy and Sexual and Reproductive Rights (DSR). This is a narrative review of the national scientific production registered in the journal portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), in the period 2016-2022, using the descriptors “evangelical”, “neoconservative agenda” and “women’s health”. We selected 80 articles that deal with the relationship between the growth of the number of evangelical churches and faithful linked to these churches in Brazil. Of the articles analyzed, 42.5% examine the agenda defended by religious sectors of the conservative field, including a set of themes, such as politics, sexuality and reproduction, ‘gender ideology’, human rights of the LGBTQIA+ population, DSR, abortion, sex education in schools, same-sex marriage, family status, status of the unborn child, sexual violence, fronts in defense of life and family, religions of African origin, religious racism and religious intolerance. Thus, the importance of this theme in public health research is emphasized, especially in the area of health policy, planning and management.

KEYWORDS
Religion; Conservatism; Health policy; Women’s health