Over the years, chronic degenerative diseases have gained greater emphasis in relation to infectious and parasitic diseases, associated with technological advances in the health area and also, consequent improvement in basic sanitation conditions. Studies indicate that there is an association between chronic diseases and higher health care costs. This increase in costs impacts both the patient and the health systems. In the most vulnerable populations, among them the quilombola population, it has been observed that chronic diseases cause impacts on health conditions.

To verify the existence of chronic diseases diagnosed in people living in the quilombola territory.

A cross-sectional and quantitative field study was carried out in a quilombola territory. For data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 85 randomly selected households, where one resident responded for all residents of the household. The eligibility criteria were: households registered with the ESF and age over 18 years.

The sample consisted of 154 people, 42.2% in the age group between 39-59 years. 42.9% of the quilombola people were identified with a diagnosis given by the doctor of a chronic, physical or mental illness, or of long duration and that did not limit their usual activities.

The epidemiological transition, through access to and use of health services, may produce changes in the health profile of this population with a likely increase in diagnoses of chronic diseases and limitations on usual activities. However, we emphasize the hygienic and sanitary conditions, evidenced by the lack of basic services, such as sanitation, drinking water and the accumulation of household waste. Therefore, we suggest studies to also verify the prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases in the quilombola territory.

In order to promote greater attention to health, given the conditions of vulnerability in which they are inserted, with the difficulty of accessing health services and the lifestyle, physiotherapy should be included in the quilombola territory.