Health advocacy in nursing: contribution to the reorientation of the Brazilian healthcare model

Abstract

Inequalities are the result of the different positions held by individuals in different social spaces, and are related to the distribution of power and property. Health advocacy is a strategy to reduce such inequalities, especially those considered unfair and unnecessary, aiming to fully promote the right to health. This study aims to discuss the contribution of nursing in the fi eld of health advocacy, which includes the right of everyone to a healthy life as one of the strategies for the reorientation of the Brazilian healthcare model. Descriptors: Health Advocacy; Nursing; Health Services; Health Inequalities; Human Rights. RESUMOAs desigualdades são resultado das distintas posições ocupadas pelos indivíduos em diferentes espaços sociais; e são relacionadas à repartição de poder e propriedade. A advocacia em saúde é uma estratégia para a redução de tais desigualdades, principalmente as consideradas injustas e desnecessárias, com vistas ao alcance pleno do direito à saúde. O presente estudo pretende discutir a contribuição da Enfermagem no campo da advocacia em saúde, no qual se inclui o direito de todos a uma vida saudável, como uma das estratégias para reorientação do modelo assistencial no Brasil. Descritores: Advocacia em Saúde; Enfermagem; Serviços de Saúde; Desigualdades em Saúde; Direitos Humanos. RESUMENLas desigualdades son el resultado de las distintas posiciones ocupadas por los individuos en distintos espacios sociales; y son relacionadas a la repartición de poder y de propiedad. La defensa de la salud es una estrategia para la reducción de tales desigualdades, principalmente, las consideradas injustas y desnecesarias. Con el objetivo del alcance pleno del derecho a la salud, el presente estudio pretende discutir la contribución de la Enfermería en el campo de la defensa de la salud, en el cual se incluye el derecho de todos a una vida saludable, como una de las estrategias para reorientación del modelo asistencial en Brasil. Descriptores: Defensa de la Salud; Enfermería; Servicios de Salud; Desigualdades en la Salud; Derechos Humanos.

Enhancing citizenship through nursing care in Brazil: Patients' struggle against austerity policies

“…Patient empowerment and participation, which are key aspects of patient‐centered care approaches (Kitson, Marshall, Bassett, & Zeitz, ), are also important to support hospital patients in obtaining safer and more inclusive health care (Castro, Van Regenmortel, Vanhaecht, Sermeus, & Van Hecke, ). Nurses are key stakeholders in enhancing patients' autonomy in their care (Oliveira & da Silva, ).…”

“…Given their extensive presence in health care services and proximity to patients, nursing professionals are, compared with other health care practitioners, more able to struggle with and for patients against health inequalities, such as restricted access to biomedical innovations and high‐quality health care services (Oliveira & da Silva, ). Nursing workers are critical in achieving both high‐quality care in the 21st century (World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co‐operation, and Development & The World Bank, ) and universal health coverage, which is target 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda (World Health Organization, ).…”

Exercise of rights of tuberculosis patients undergoing pharmacological treatment

“…Furthermore, data indicate that these professionals are unaware of what TB is and treat people with prejudice and disrespect. On the other hand, studies on the theme of nursing advocacy highlight the defense of health rights as a strategy to reduce inequalities, seeking to achieve the full right of everyone to a healthy life (25)(26) .…”

“…Luis Ricardo, Cleusa, and Maiara announced exercise of labor rights, which ensures leave from work due to illness, under protection of labor laws, and they acknowledged this right because they were ill. Studies have shown that the right to social security and financial protection minimizes suffering and stress for people with TB, generated by fear of unemployment and dismissal from work due to the contagious nature of the disease (6,8,26) .…”

“…in realities where it is not free (26) . Likewise, data are similar to the findings of this study, where people with greater social vulnerability were those who most felt apprehensive due to economic conditions.…”