EQUITY POLICIES IN COUNTRIES WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
1
School of Health Sciences, State University of Vale do Acaraú (UVA), Sobral, Brazil
2
Mauricio de Nassau University Center (UNINASSAU), Sobral, Brazil
3
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Fortaleza, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
It is imperative to recognize that social markers (race, class, and gender) exacerbate inequalities. Their intersectionality must be addressed in public policies. Countries with universal health systems should acknowledge the multiple dimensions of the social determination of health and present policies to confront them. This study analyzed social markers and the corresponding policies and strategies for promoting equity in countries with universal health coverage as reported in scientific publications.
METHODS:
A review study conducted in the Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, from April to May 2024. Eligibility criteria: publications addressing policies and/or strategies aligned with the promotion of equity; academic (articles, dissertations, and theses) and technical publications. No time frame or language restrictions were applied, and letters, reviews, conference abstracts, and editorials were excluded. Twenty-six publications were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Spatial distribution of publications across three continents: 18 in the Americas (Brazil, n=15; Canada, n=2; and inter-country, n=1), 4 in Europe (France, n=1; United Kingdom, n=1; and Spain, n=2), 2 in Oceania (Australia, n=2), and 2 from diverse contexts (reviews). Thirty government policies and/or strategies with the intent to ensure equity and the realization of rights were identified. These initiatives primarily addressed the markers of gender (n=16), class (n=10), and race (n=7), aligned with political and social actions, with more direct intervention in social exclusion (n=6), discrimination (n=9), and poverty (n=6). Experiences addressing more than one marker were highlighted.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public policies to promote equity serve as counterpoints to the inflection affecting global health. These initiatives aim to address a complex reality of social markers that have historically shaped vulnerabilities. Brazil stands out for its policies and related knowledge production; however, advocacy for ongoing monitoring is needed to ensure the sustainability and expansion of equity policies.
It is imperative to recognize that social markers (race, class, and gender) exacerbate inequalities. Their intersectionality must be addressed in public policies. Countries with universal health systems should acknowledge the multiple dimensions of the social determination of health and present policies to confront them. This study analyzed social markers and the corresponding policies and strategies for promoting equity in countries with universal health coverage as reported in scientific publications.
METHODS:
A review study conducted in the Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, from April to May 2024. Eligibility criteria: publications addressing policies and/or strategies aligned with the promotion of equity; academic (articles, dissertations, and theses) and technical publications. No time frame or language restrictions were applied, and letters, reviews, conference abstracts, and editorials were excluded. Twenty-six publications were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Spatial distribution of publications across three continents: 18 in the Americas (Brazil, n=15; Canada, n=2; and inter-country, n=1), 4 in Europe (France, n=1; United Kingdom, n=1; and Spain, n=2), 2 in Oceania (Australia, n=2), and 2 from diverse contexts (reviews). Thirty government policies and/or strategies with the intent to ensure equity and the realization of rights were identified. These initiatives primarily addressed the markers of gender (n=16), class (n=10), and race (n=7), aligned with political and social actions, with more direct intervention in social exclusion (n=6), discrimination (n=9), and poverty (n=6). Experiences addressing more than one marker were highlighted.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public policies to promote equity serve as counterpoints to the inflection affecting global health. These initiatives aim to address a complex reality of social markers that have historically shaped vulnerabilities. Brazil stands out for its policies and related knowledge production; however, advocacy for ongoing monitoring is needed to ensure the sustainability and expansion of equity policies.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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