Zilda Arns

Zilda Arns Neumann (August 25, 1934 – January 12, 2010) was a renowned Brazilian pediatrician and public health advocate, best known for founding the Pastoral da Criança, a community-based program aimed at reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in Brazil and other countries.

Early Life and Education

Zilda Arns was born in Forquilhinha, a small town in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. She was the twelfth of thirteen children in a family of German descent. Her brother, Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns, became a prominent cardinal in the Catholic Church.

Arns pursued her medical education at the Federal University of Paraná, where she graduated with a degree in medicine. She specialized in pediatrics and public health, fields in which she would later make significant contributions.

Career and Contributions

After completing her education, Zilda Arns worked as a pediatrician and public health official. She became deeply involved in efforts to improve child health and nutrition, particularly in impoverished communities.

Founding of Pastoral da Criança

In 1983, Zilda Arns founded the Pastoral da Criança (Children's Pastoral), a program under the auspices of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. The program was designed to combat child malnutrition and mortality through community-based interventions. It trained volunteers to educate mothers about nutrition, health, and hygiene, and to monitor the growth and development of children.

The program's success in Brazil led to its expansion to other countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. By the time of Arns' death, the Pastoral da Criança had reached millions of children and families worldwide.

Advocacy and Recognition

Zilda Arns was a vocal advocate for children's rights and public health. She received numerous awards and honors for her work, including nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her approach emphasized the empowerment of local communities and the importance of preventive health care.

Death

Zilda Arns died on January 12, 2010, in the Haiti earthquake. She was in Port-au-Prince to give a lecture on her work with the Pastoral da Criança when the earthquake struck. Her death was widely mourned in Brazil and around the world.

Legacy

Zilda Arns' legacy lives on through the continued work of the Pastoral da Criança and the many lives it has touched. Her innovative approach to public health has inspired similar programs globally, emphasizing the role of community involvement in health care.

Also see

• Pastoral da Criança
• Public health in Brazil
• Child mortality
• Community health workers