Global Health and Planetary Health: perspectives for a transition to a more sustainable world post COVID-19.

The manuscript discusses interfaces between academic and practical fields of Global Health and Planetary Health, shedding light on some critical perspectives of cumulative and synergistic causes of global crises, and effects on health and food security, on human rights, on migration, and on environment. Concepts of Global Health and Planetary Health and the path for the Sustainable Development Goals -SDG in the context of the Syndemy of Global Crisis, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, are presented. COVID-19 lessons highlight challenges of infectious diseases and pandemics of the crisis of food insecurity, and of climate emergency. The manuscript advocates for an innovative approach that simultaneously broader awareness of the interconnected problems and of their complex causes and calls for emancipatory knowledge to face urgent challenges for a transdisciplinary research agenda aiming to tackle enormous planetary problems brought by the Anthropocene. It calls for practical solutions, with examples of some nature-based. It highlights the need of a collective reflection on a viable path to promote changes for a more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive future, bridging gaps from Global and Planetary Health.

Global Health and Planetary Health: perspectives for a transition to a more sustainable world post COVID-19 / Saúde Global e Saúde Planetária: perspectivas para uma transição para um mundo mais sustentável pós COVID-19

Abstract The manuscript discusses interfaces between academic and practical fields of Global Health and Planetary Health, shedding light on some critical perspectives of cumulative and synergistic causes of global crises, and effects on health and food security, on human rights, on migration, and on environment. Concepts of Global Health and Planetary Health and the path for the Sustainable Development Goals -SDG in the context of the Syndemy of Global Crisis, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, are presented. COVID-19 lessons highlight challenges of infectious diseases and pandemics of the crisis of food insecurity, and of climate emergency. The manuscript advocates for an innovative approach that simultaneously broader awareness of the interconnected problems and of their complex causes and calls for emancipatory knowledge to face urgent challenges for a transdisciplinary research agenda aiming to tackle enormous planetary problems brought by the Anthropocene. It calls for practical solutions, with examples of some nature-based. It highlights the need of a collective reflection on a viable path to promote changes for a more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive future, bridging gaps from Global and Planetary Health.

Resumo O manuscrito discute as interfaces entre os campos acadêmico e prático da Saúde Global e da Saúde Planetária, lançando luz sobre algumas perspectivas críticas acerca das causas cumulativas e sinérgicas de crises globais e seus efeitos na saúde e segurança alimentar, nos direitos humanos, na migração e no ambiente. São apresentados os conceitos de Saúde Global e Saúde Planetária, e perspectivas para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) no contexto de uma sindemia de crises globais, em particular a pandemia de COVID-19, cujas lições lançam luz sobre os desafios relacionados às doenças infecciosas, crise de insegurança alimentar e emergência climática. O manuscrito defende uma abordagem inovadora que, simultaneamente, amplie a consciência dos problemas interligados e de suas complexas causas e fomente o conhecimento emancipatório para enfrentar os desafios urgentes de uma agenda de pesquisa transdisciplinar visando enfrentar os enormes problemas planetários trazidos pelo Antropoceno. Reforça a necessidade de soluções práticas, com exemplos de soluções baseadas na natureza, e de uma reflexão coletiva sobre um caminho viável para promover mudanças para um futuro mais sustentável, equitativo e adaptável, preenchendo as lacunas da Saúde Global e Planetária.

Comparison of Parent Questionnaires, Examiner-Led Assessment and Parents' Concerns at 14 Months of Age as Indicators of Later Diagnosis of Autism.

Parents participating in a prospective longitudinal study of infants with older siblings with autism completed an autism screening questionnaire and were asked about any concerns relating to their child's development, and children were administered an interactive assessment conducted by a researcher at 14 months. Scores on the parent questionnaire were highest for children later diagnosed with autism. Parental concerns and scores from the examiner-led assessment distinguished children with later developmental difficulties (both autism and other developmental atypicalities) from those who were developing typically. Children about whom parents expressed concern scored higher on both the questionnaire and the interactive assessment than those without concerns. There were no significant associations between total or individual item scores from the questionnaire and interactive assessment.

Conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de agricultores familiares brasileiros sobre a exposição aos agrotóxicos / Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Brazilian family farmers on exposure to pesticides

Resumo O artigo discute conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas (CAP) de agricultores familiares brasileiros a respeito dos impactos na saúde e no ambiente gerados pelo uso de agrotóxicos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal misto, realizado em 2014 em São José de Ubá, RJ. A pesquisa é composta por uma etapa qualitativa, baseada em observações em campo e entrevistas com 25 participantes sobre CAP, no que se refere ao uso de agrotóxicos. A etapa quantitativa abrange avaliação sociodemográfica e de exposição aos agrotóxicos de 78 agricultores. Apesar de reconhecerem parcialmente os perigos dos agrotóxicos, os agricultores enfrentam os riscos da exposição e comumente adotam práticas laborais inadequadas. Fatores como a carência de apoio técnico e treinamento laboral, baixa escolaridade, dificuldade de compreensão das orientações de bulas e rótulos dos agrotóxicos, valor elevado e desconforto causado pelo equipamento de proteção individual (EPI), além da crença da dependência do uso de agrotóxicos, explicam parcialmente as atitudes não seguras. É preciso promover práticas agrícolas mais sustentáveis, fortalecer o apoio técnico e treinamento laboral, melhorar a comunicação e o gerenciamento dos riscos e reduzir as desigualdades de gênero entre os agricultores brasileiros, como a forma mais eficaz e imediata de prevenir os agravos relacionados ao trabalho com agrotóxicos.

Abstract This paper discusses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the Brazilian family farmers regarding the impact of pesticides on health and the environment. This mixed cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 in São José de Ubá, Rio de Janeiro. It encompasses two stages: a qualitative one, based on field observations and interviews with 25 participants on KAP about the use of pesticides; and a quantitative one, assessing sociodemographic data and exposure to pesticides among 78 farmers. Despite partially recognizing the danger of pesticides, farmers face the risks of exposure and usually adopt inappropriate work practices. Lack of technical support and occupational training, low schooling, difficulty in understanding the instructions on pesticides labels and package inserts, high price and discomfort caused by the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the belief in the need for using pesticides, partially explain the unsafe attitudes. Effective and immediate prevention of pesticides-related injuries and diseases requires promoting more sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening technical support and occupational training, improving communication and pesticides risk management, and reducing gender inequalities among the Brazilian farmers.

Emigração de médicos brasileiros para os Estados Unidos da América / Emigration of Brazilian doctors to the United States of America

Resumo Este artigo aborda a mobilidade de médicos pelo mundo a partir de levantamento bibliográfico em base de dados e identifica a escassez de informações referentes aos médicos brasileiros. O objetivo é analisar aspectos que determinam a emigração de médicos brasileiros para os EUA. A metodologia baseia-se em pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizando as palavras-chave "brain drain", "medical migration", "physicians migration", "data migration physicians"; identificação de artigos relacionados à emigração de médicos pelo mundo; elaboração e validação do questionário "Motivos de Emigração"; identificação de médicos que emigraram utilizando a técnica "bola de neve" ; envio do questionário por e-mail aos médicos que emigraram para os EUA; tabulação das respostas encaminhadas; realização de entrevistas por Skype com a finalidade de corroborar e exemplificar os resultados obtidos nos questionários. Inicialmente, os médicos escolhem emigrar por motivos pessoais (família, oportunidades profissionais e, em geral, facilidade do idioma); ao se estabelecerem nos EUA vivenciam uma nova forma de vida, o que os faz permanecer (melhores condições de trabalho, qualidade de vida, família e oportunidades em geral); as causas do não retorno ao Brasil passam a ter motivos externos (insegurança, cenários profissional, político e econômico). Conclui-se que existe um processo emigratório de médicos brasileiros para os EUA e, a princípio, a motivação de emigrar não é bem determinada; o salário não é citado como questão primordial; a presença da família facilita a permanência no país; a fluência na língua inglesa é fundamental; e é necessário recomeçar a vida profissional como um recém-formado em medicina, pois não existe processo de validação de diploma ou de especialidades.

Abstract This article considers, initially, the mobility of doctors throughout the world from a bibliographic database collection and identifies the lack of information regarding Brazilian doctors. The aim is to analyze aspects that determine the emigration of Brazilian doctors to the United States of America. The methodology is based on bibliographic research using the keywords brain drain, medical migration, physicians migration, data migration physicians; identification of articles related to the emigration of doctors throughout the world; elaboration and validation of the questionnaire "Emigration Motives"; identification of doctors that emigrated, using the "snowball" technique; sending of the questionnaire by e-mail to the doctors that emigrated to the USA; tabulation of the forwarded answers; Skype interviews aiming at the validation and illustration of the results obtained in the questionnaire. Initially, the doctors choose to emigrate for personal motives (family, professional opportunities, and, in general, absence of language barriers); when established in the USA, they experience a new way of life that makes them stay (better work condition, quality of life, family and general opportunities); external motives become the cause for staying in the USA (insecurity, professional, political and economic scenarios). The conclusion is that an emigrational process of Brazilian doctors to the USA exists and, at first, the reason to emigrate is not well defined; salary is not mentioned as a primary reason; the presence of the family eases the stay in the country; the proficiency in the English language is fundamental and necessary to restart the professional life as a recently graduated in medicine since there isn't an university degree or medical specialty degree validation.

Health Diplomacy and Global Health: Latin American perspectives.

We will analyze and comment on the book Health Diplomacy and Global Health: Latin American Perspectives, edited by Paulo Marchiori Buss and Sebastián Tobar and published by Editora Fiocruz. Throughout its 653 pages, the book brings prominent national and foreign authors in the field of Health Diplomacy and Global Health, depicting a decade in which Brazil had great international protagonism in the field of Public Health, especially in South-South cooperation, in an innovative and structuring manner. Furthermore, the chapters present theoretical aspects and basic principles of Global Health as a new field of knowledge, in which the country has been developing and sharing scientific production with a Latin American perspective, focused on the pursuit of equity and health for all peoples of the world.

Health Diplomacy and Global Health: Latin American perspectives / Diplomacia em Saúde e Saúde Global: perspectivas latino-americanas

ABSTRACT We will analyze and comment on the book Health Diplomacy and Global Health: Latin American Perspectives, edited by Paulo Marchiori Buss and Sebastián Tobar and published by Editora Fiocruz. Throughout its 653 pages, the book brings prominent national and foreign authors in the field of Health Diplomacy and Global Health, depicting a decade in which Brazil had great international protagonism in the field of Public Health, especially in South-South cooperation, in an innovative and structuring manner. Furthermore, the chapters present theoretical aspects and basic principles of Global Health as a new field of knowledge, in which the country has been developing and sharing scientific production with a Latin American perspective, focused on the pursuit of equity and health for all peoples of the world.

RESUMO Analisa-se e comenta-se a obra Diplomacia em Saúde e Saúde Global: perspectivas latino-americanas, editada por Paulo Marchiori Buss e Sebastián Tobar, publicado pela Editora Fiocruz. O livro, em 653 páginas, traz contribuições de destacados autores nacionais e estrangeiros no campo da diplomacia em saúde e da saúde global, retratando uma década em que o Brasil teve grande protagonismo internacional no campo da saúde pública, sobretudo na cooperação Sul-Sul, de forma inovadora e estruturante. Ademais, os capítulos apresentam aspectos teóricos e princípios básicos da saúde global como novo campo de conhecimento, no qual o país vem desenvolvendo e compartilhando uma produção científica com uma perspectiva latino-americana, voltada para a busca da equidade e da saúde para todos os povos do mundo.

Environmental and socioeconomic analysis of malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon, 2010-2015

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the environmental and socioeconomic risk factors of malaria transmission at municipality level, from 2010 to 2015, in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS The municipalities were stratified into high, moderate, and low transmission based on the annual parasite incidence. A multinomial logistic regression that compared low with medium transmission and low with high transmission was performed. For each category, three models were analyzed: one only with socioeconomic risk factors (Gini index, illiteracy, number of mines and indigenous areas); a second with the environmental factors (forest coverage and length of the wet season); and a third with all covariates (full model). RESULTS The full model showed the best performance. The most important risks factors for high transmission were Gini index, length of the wet season and illiteracy, OR 2.06 (95%CI 1.19-3.56), 1.73 (95%CI 1.19-2.51) and 1.10 (95%CI 1.03-1.17), respectively. The medium transmission showed a weaker influence of the risk factors, being illiteracy, forest coverage and indigenous areas statistically significant but with marginal influence. CONCLUSIONS As a disease of poverty, the reduction in wealth inequalities and, therefore, health inequalities, could reduce the transmission considerably. Besides, environmental risk factors as length of the wet season should be considered in the planning, prevention and control. Municipality-level and fine-scale analysis should be done together to improve the knowledge of the local dynamics of transmission.

Uma contribuição da metodologia Peir para o estudo de uma pequena cidade na Amazônia: Ponta de Pedras, Pará / A contribution from the DPSIR methodology to the study of a small town in the Amazon: Ponta de Pedras, Pará, Brazil

Resumo Este artigo objetivou analisar a contribuição da metodologia Peir para estudo de uma pequena cidade da Amazônia a partir da análise do modo de vida da população. Como procedimento metodológico procurou-se entender a relação entre aspectos de urbanização conectados à globalização e saúde da população dessa cidade. Foram obtidos dados em campo, os quais permitiram analisar a situação de saúde em dois setores urbanos. A metodologia Pressão-Estado-Impacto-Resposta (Peir), desenvolvida pelo Programa das Nações Unidas para o Meio Ambiente (Pnuma) e adaptada pela Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE), servirá de suporte para a compreensão dos impactos na saúde da população a partir do acesso a infraestruturas disponíveis, entre elas o abastecimento de água. O local de estudo é cidade de Ponta de Pedras, situada na Ilha do Marajó, estado do Pará, Brasil. Como resultado nota-se a necessidade de intervenções imediatas por parte do poder público para minimizar os impactos das condições de vulnerabilidade sobre as populações.

Abstract This article aimed to analyze DPSIR approach's contribution in an Amazonian small town, according to the local people's lives. As methodological procedure, we sought to understand the relation between urbanization aspects connected to globalization and the population health of said small town. For this research, data were obtained in field, which allowed an analysis of the health situation in two urban sectors. The DPSIR methodology - Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response, developed by United Nations Environment (UNE) and adapted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), will serve as support for the understanding of impacts on the population's health, analyzing issues as access to available infrastructure, including water supply. As a result, Ponta de Pedras town, located in Marajó Island (PA), Brazil - where the research was performed -, requires an immediate intervention from the public authorities to minimize impacts of population's exposure to vulnerable conditions.

Free-trade agreements: challenges for global health.

In this study new free-trade agreements are discussed, which are based on the breaking down of tariff and technical barriers and normally exclude most of the poorest countries in the world. Considering the current context of economic globalization and its health impacts, seven controversial points of these treaties and their possible implications for global public health are presented, mainly regarding health equity and other health determinants. Finally, this research proposes a greater social and health professionals participation in the formulation and discussion of these treaties, and a deeper insertion of Brazil in this important international agenda.

Overview of the selective waste collection with pickers in Maputo municipality, Mozambique: challenges and perspectives

In Maputo, the selective waste collection is undertaken in a very limited way and is largely a result of nongovernmental projects or individual initiatives. The objective of the study was to analyze household selective waste collection in Maputo emphasizing those in partnership with the municipality, in order to evaluate their potentialities. The research methods were bibliographical and documental research and qualitative interviews. The interviews were with representatives from: Municipal Directorate of Cleansing and Cemeteries; coordinators of four pickers' organizations (Recicla, Fertiliza, Amor and Pagalata). In addition, there were technical visits to units for sorting recyclables and collecting/selling stations. The research showed that the initiatives are positive, in terms of social and economic capital, although altogether the projects deviate less than 1 per cent of the urban solid waste produced daily in the municipality. One of the major problems for promoting selective waste collection in Mozambique is lack of local industries that transform recyclable materials in recycled products. It is therefore important to provide a legal framework for municipal selective waste collection service with pickers' and citizens' participation.

Em Maputo, a coleta seletiva ocorre de forma restrita, majoritariamente como resultado de iniciativas não governamentais ou individuais. Este estudo apresenta um panorama desses projetos e enfatiza iniciativas em parceria com o município. O objetivo foi analisar experiências de coleta seletiva de resíduos sólidos domiciliares em parcerias com organizações de catadores em Maputo, Moçambique, a fim de avaliar suas perspectivas. Foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas e documentais e entrevistas qualitativas semiestruturadas com: representante da Direção Municipal de Saúde e Salubridade do Município de Maputo; coordenadores administrativos de quatro organizações de catadores (Recicla, Fertiliza, Amor e Pagalata). Além disso, foram feitas visitas técnicas aos galpões/usinas de triagem e estações de coleta dessas organizações. As iniciativas, embora, em conjunto, desviem menos de 1 por cento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos produzidos no município, foram avaliadas positivamente em aspectos de formação de capital social e econômico. A pesquisa também demonstrou que um problema para a coleta seletiva e a reciclagem em Moçambique é a carência de um mercado local e um parque reciclador que utilize e transforme materiais recicláveis em produtos reciclados. Nesse sentido, faz-se necessário definir um marco legal de serviço municipal de coleta seletiva com a participação dos catadores e munícipes.

Free-trade agreements: challenges for global health / Tratados de livre comércio: desafios para a saúde global

In this study new free-trade agreements are discussed, which are based on the breaking down of tariff and technical barriers and normally exclude most of the poorest countries in the world. Considering the current context of economic globalization and its health impacts, seven controversial points of these treaties and their possible implications for global public health are presented, mainly regarding health equity and other health determinants. Finally, this research proposes a greater social and health professionals participation in the formulation and discussion of these treaties, and a deeper insertion of Brazil in this important international agenda.

São discutidos os novos tratados de livre comércio, os quais se baseiam em quebra de barreiras tarifárias e técnicas e excluem a maior parte dos países mais pobres do mundo. Considerando-se o atual contexto de globalização econômica, são apresentados sete pontos polêmicos desses tratados e suas possíveis implicações para a saúde pública global, sobretudo no que diz respeito à equidade em saúde e a outros deteminantes da saúde. Conclui-se defendendo maior participação social e de profissionais de saúde na formulação e discussão desses tratados e inserção do Brasil nesta importante e atual discussão internacional.

Saúde ambiental no campo: o caso dos projetos de desenvolvimento sustentável em assentamentos rurais do Estado de São Paulo / Environmental health at the country side: the case of sustainable development projects in rural settlements of the state of São Paulo

No Brasil, algumas iniciativas voltadas ao desenvolvimento rural sustentável vêm sendo implementadas no âmbito de assentamentos rurais. A pesquisa teve como objetivo levantar os problemas de saúde ambiental em assentamentos tradicionais e em assentamentos de desenvolvimento sustentável, visando compreender como são percebidos os problemas de saúde ambiental enfrentados por parte de populações de assentados rurais que constituem alvo de políticas públicas inspiradas em princípios de desenvolvimento sustentável. Estudo de casos explanatório e descritivo, abordando quatro “projetos de desenvolvimento sustentável” e dois convencionais em assentamentos rurais das regiões Central e Nordeste do Estado de São Paulo e desenvolvido, de modo comparativo, mediante oficinas de trabalho discutindo aspectos de saúde ambiental. O trabalho de coleta de informações foi iniciado após prévia aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Os assentados nos dois tipos de assentamento indicaram problemas de saúde ambiental similares, relacionados, sobretudo, à falta de saneamento básico, manejo inadequado de resíduos, dificuldades no controle de pragas e problemas de saúde do trabalhador. Há um grande distanciamento entre o discurso propositivo de algumas políticas públicas inspiradas nos princípios da sustentabilidade e a realização objetiva de sua prática, sobretudo na incorporação da dimensão dos aspectos de saúde pública. Todavia, no caso dos projetos de desenvolvimento sustentável em assentamentos rurais no Estado de São Paulo, tal dissociação não se manifesta no âmbito de percepção dos sujeitos, público-alvo dos projetos. Para estes a construção de um modo de vida sustentável não pode prescindir da atenção primária aos aspectos de saúde ambiental como fator de desenvolvimento humano...

In Brazil, some initiatives focusing on sustainable rural development are being implemented in rural settlements. This study aimed to investigate environmental health issues faced in traditional rural settlements in comparison to sustainable development settlements. Qualitative research approaching four “Sustainable Development Projects” and two traditional projects in rural settlements of central and northeastern São Paulo State based on workshops with participants of the settlement projects, discussing environmental health problems faced by community. Procedures were developed after the Ethics Research Committee approval. Settlers in both types of settlements reported similar environmental health problems, related mainly to lack of basic sanitation, inadequate waste management, difficulties in pest control, and workers’ health problems. There is a large gap between the proposed discourse of some polities concerned with sustainable development, as in the case of the sustainable development projects in rural settlements in the State of São Paulo, particularly in the incorporation of issues related with public health. However, this dissociation does not manifest itself in the perception of the settlers involved in such projects. For them the construction of a sustainable lifestyle cannot waive attention from the central role of primary attention on aspects of public health as a fundamental factor for human development...

Saúde Global em tempos de globalização / Global Health in globalization times

O presente artigo apresenta definições, conceitos e princípios do campo de conhecimentos e práticas conhecido como “Saúde Global”, baseando-se em seu desenvolvimento histórico e em seu contexto contemporâneo, marcado pelo fenômeno da globalização. Mostra a evolução do conceito de saúde internacional para o de Saúde Global. A globalização econômica, que está aliada à globalização política, cultural, informacional e comunicativa, traz novas oportunidades e desafios, cujos benefícios e impactos adversos, que envolvem todas as dimensões das relações humanas, ainda carecem de análises compreensivas. Processos de interdependência planetária trazem benefícios e riscos para a saúde humana, de forma diferenciada ao redor do globo. Discute o que são problemas de Saúde Global no século XXI, caracterizado por problemas de saúde acumulados, problemas novos e problemas decorrentes de mudanças de paradigmas. Propõe uma agenda de pesquisa em Saúde Global para o presente e futuro próximo, exemplificando temas em três linhas principais: a distribuição desigual das doenças e agravos da saúde ao redor do mundo; os impactos das mudanças ambientais globais na saúde humana e formas de mitigação e adaptação; e políticas, instituições e sistemas de Saúde Global...

This article presents definitions, concepts and principles of Global Health, based on its historical development and on the contemporary context, marked by globalization process. It shows the evolution of the concept of international health to Global Health. Economic globalization, together with political, cultural, informational and of communication globalization, presents new opportunities and challenges, but its benefits and risks to human health have been scarcely studied. The article discusses what are Global Health problems in the 21st Century, characterized by accumulated health problems, new health problems and problems related to new paradigms. It proposes a research agenda in Global Health for the present and near future, with examples of research themes in three main lines: unequal distribution of diseases around the world; impacts of global environmental changes on human health, mitigation and adaptation; Global Health policies, institutions and systems...

Safety assessment and biological effects of a new cold processed SilEmulsion for dermatological purpose.

It is of crucial importance to evaluate the safety profile of the ingredients used in dermatological emulsions. A suitable equilibrium between safety and efficacy is a pivotal concern before the marketing of a dermatological product. The aim was to assess the safety and biological effects of a new cold processed silicone-based emulsion (SilEmulsion). The hazard, exposure, and dose-response assessment were used to characterize the risk for each ingredient. EpiSkin assay and human repeat insult patch tests were performed to compare the theoretical safety assessment to in vitro and in vivo data. The efficacy of the SilEmulsion was studied using biophysical measurements in human volunteers during 21 days. According to the safety assessment of the ingredients, 1,5-pentanediol was an ingredient of special concern since its margin of safety was below the threshold of 100 (36.53). EpiSkin assay showed that the tissue viability after the application of the SilEmulsion was 92 ± 6% and, thus considered nonirritant to the skin. The human studies confirmed that the SilEmulsion was not a skin irritant and did not induce any sensitization on the volunteers, being safe for human use. Moreover, biological effects demonstrated that the SilEmulsion increased both the skin hydration and skin surface lipids.

Socioeconomic status and functional brain development - associations in early infancy.

Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts on both structural and functional brain development in childhood, but how early its effects can be demonstrated is unknown. In this study we measured resting baseline EEG activity in the gamma frequency range in awake 6-9-month-olds from areas of East London with high socioeconomic deprivation. Between-subject comparisons of infants from low- and high-income families revealed significantly lower frontal gamma power in infants from low-income homes. Similar power differences were found when comparing infants according to maternal occupation, with lower occupational status groups yielding lower power. Infant sleep, maternal education, length of gestation, and birth weight, as well as smoke exposure and bilingualism, did not explain these differences. Our results show that the effects of socioeconomic disparities on brain activity can already be detected in early infancy, potentially pointing to very early risk for language and attention difficulties. This is the first study to reveal region-selective differences in functional brain development associated with early infancy in low-income families.