1.1 BackgroundThe scant knowledge on drivers of demand for respiratory healthcare in Brazilian Amazon, where the gap of human and physical healthcare resources is wide, is expanded with two surveys conducted at the west of the region in Acre state. Potential drivers, informed by a review of twelve recent papers, were classified in seven categories comprising the individual, household, community and macroeconomic dimensions.1.2 MethodsOn-field quantitative structured surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2019 based in coupled conglomerate-quota-randomization sampling, with support of community health agents. Adults responded about their own or their children’s health. Whether physician care was sought to treat the latest episode of respiratory illnesses or of dry cough was analysed statistically with multiple non-linear regressions having as covariates the potential predictors informed by literature.1.3 ResultsThe propensity to seek healthcare and to purchase medication was larger when targeting children rather than adults. Influenza was the most frequent cause of latest episodes of respiratory illnesses and dry cough, what makes the below-40% healthcare seeking rate worrying as it may sustain a considerable local contagion rate. Illnesses’ severity, including the pain experienced, were the main predictors, revealing that subjective perception exerted stronger influence than objective individual’s and households’ characteristics. The insignificance of education indicated that it was not the sole determinant of health literacy, the latter a more important driver, according to literature. Income was insignificant due to respondents relying almost uniquely on free healthcare offered by the Brazilian Health System.1.4 ConclusionsResults suggest that subjective underestimation of respiratory illnesses’ consequences for oneself and for local society could motivate a refusal to seek treatment. This is in line with some previous studies but departs from those overemphasizing the role of objective factors. Social consequences, of, for instance, macroeconomic nature, needs highlighting, based on studies detecting a long-run relationship between healthcare demand, health and economic performance at national level. Microeconomic behavioural policy is needed to change subjective perceptions of symptoms and illnesses with nudges and educational interventions.