Food Insecurity in Urban Brazil: Implications for Health Promotion and Intersectoral Action
1
Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1402
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Food is recognized as a social determinant of health, and both are human rights. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Good Health and Well-Being is closely linked to strengthening food and nutrition security aimed at overcoming hunger, as established by the SDG on Zero Hunger. In Brazil, food insecurity (FI) remains a relevant public health issue, requiring territorial analyses. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity across the Health Districts of Salvador, Bahia, which function as territorially based management units of the Unified Health System (SUS).
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study used data from the survey “Quality of the Urban Environment of Salvador (QUALSalvador),” conducted between 2019 and 2021, with a representative sample of 15,187 households distributed across all neighborhoods of the city. Food insecurity was measured using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale and analyzed in aggregate for the 12 Health Districts.
RESULTS:
Most Health Districts presented food insecurity prevalence rates equal to or higher than 40%, revealing significant inequalities within the urban territory, with greater vulnerability among women and Black populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
This scenario highlights the need to strengthen health promotion and prevention actions within the SUS, in accordance with the National Food and Nutrition Policy, including food and nutrition surveillance and the promotion of breastfeeding. It also underscores the importance of articulating cross-cutting policies, such as the National Policy for the Comprehensive Health of the Black Population, the National Policy for Women’s Health Care, and the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, as well as intensifying intersectoral strategies. In the urban context, initiatives such as the School Health Program, the National Strategy for Food and Nutrition Security in Cities, and the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda are essential for promoting equity, improving quality of life, and ensuring the Human Right to Adequate Food.
Food is recognized as a social determinant of health, and both are human rights. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Good Health and Well-Being is closely linked to strengthening food and nutrition security aimed at overcoming hunger, as established by the SDG on Zero Hunger. In Brazil, food insecurity (FI) remains a relevant public health issue, requiring territorial analyses. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity across the Health Districts of Salvador, Bahia, which function as territorially based management units of the Unified Health System (SUS).
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study used data from the survey “Quality of the Urban Environment of Salvador (QUALSalvador),” conducted between 2019 and 2021, with a representative sample of 15,187 households distributed across all neighborhoods of the city. Food insecurity was measured using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale and analyzed in aggregate for the 12 Health Districts.
RESULTS:
Most Health Districts presented food insecurity prevalence rates equal to or higher than 40%, revealing significant inequalities within the urban territory, with greater vulnerability among women and Black populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
This scenario highlights the need to strengthen health promotion and prevention actions within the SUS, in accordance with the National Food and Nutrition Policy, including food and nutrition surveillance and the promotion of breastfeeding. It also underscores the importance of articulating cross-cutting policies, such as the National Policy for the Comprehensive Health of the Black Population, the National Policy for Women’s Health Care, and the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, as well as intensifying intersectoral strategies. In the urban context, initiatives such as the School Health Program, the National Strategy for Food and Nutrition Security in Cities, and the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda are essential for promoting equity, improving quality of life, and ensuring the Human Right to Adequate Food.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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