Luiza Monteiro

Brazilian public health pioneer who revolutionized tropical disease prevention in Latin America

Luiza Monteiro (1928–2010) was a visionary epidemiologist whose work eradicated yellow fever in Brazil and pioneered vector control strategies across Latin America. As director of Brazil's National Health Institute (1962–1975), she developed the Monteiro Method, a community-based approach combining vaccination campaigns with environmental sanitation. Her 1968 report 《Conquering the Mosquito》 became a global reference in tropical medicine. Monteiro's most notable achievement was the 1972 Amazon Health Initiative, which reduced malaria mortality by 80% in the region. She later established the Monteiro Institute, training over 2,000 health workers annually. Her work influenced the World Health Organization's 1975 Tropical Disease Eradication Program. Key innovations included the first oral vaccine delivery system using local community networks, documented in her 1980 paper published in PNAS. Despite her contributions, Monteiro remains underrecognized outside Brazil, though her legacy endures through the annual Luiza Monteiro Award for public health innovation.