Health inequalities based on ethnicity in individuals aged 15 to 64, Brazil, 1998

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze inequalities in health status and utilization of medical consultations and hospital services by IntroductionEquity in health may be defined as the absence of unfair inequalities, or for operational purposes, as the absence of systematic inequalities between groups with different social positions due to different levels of wealth, power, and prestige 1 .The concept of equity is inherently normative, whereas inequality may denote only a difference, without any connotation of injustice. The central idea in the concept of equity can be expressed as equal opportunities to be and remain healthy and is rooted in the right to health. It also includes the right to decent living standards, as well as other human rights, such freedom from discrimination and the ability to fully participate in community life (social inclusion). Health inequality is unfair if it is systematically associated with social disadvantages in such a way that the social groups that are already penalized because of their socioeconomic status suffer further disadvantages in the promotion, protection, and recovery of their health 1 .The usual explanation for health inequalities has been that one's lifestyle is the expression of individual choices and behaviors that can either reinforce or jeopardize health. However, the control of such variables cannot suppress some differentials 2 . Health inequalities always reflect social determinants, there is usually no specificity between particular causes and outcomes, ARTIGO ARTICLE

Utilização de serviços de saúde pela população adulta de São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: resultados de um estudo transversal

“…Outros estudos nacionais tinham mostrado que as mulheres se consultaram mais do que os homens 7,8 . Tem sido constatado que as pessoas idosas necessitam de mais cuidados de saúde por apresentarem múl-tiplas morbidades, conforme relatados em estudos brasileiros 9,17,18,19,20,21 .…”

“…Estudos realizados no Brasil têm mostrado diferenças entre o uso de serviços de saúde e condições socioeconômicas, sempre constatando que os grupos sociais menos favorecidos têm menor utilização de serviços de saúde. Deve-se destacar que os indivíduos das classes D e E, e até mesmo as pessoas inseridas nas categorias intermediárias se consultam menos 7,9,20 . Esses achados são particularmente importantes em relação à saúde das mulheres, no que diz respeito a exames de detecção precoce de afecções como câncer de colo uterino e de mama.…”

Genetic ancestry and income are associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever in a highly admixed population

“…In the USA, even where socioeconomic conditions are similar, utilization of the health care system may differ by ethnic group, 13 and the same also occurs in Brazil. 14 Finally, exposure to dengue may also differ by socioeconomic level and may help explain an association of DHF with income. 15 Ancestry and income are important factors independently associated with the occurrence of DHF and must be considered as covariates in genetic studies of DHF.…”

Como a posição social influencia a auto-avaliação do estado de saúde? Uma análise comparativa entre 1998 e 2003

“…Eles se desdobram, ainda, em valorações subjetivas distintas do estado de ARTIGO ARTICLE Cad. Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, 26(4):762-774, abr, 2010 saúde, decorrentes não apenas do conhecimento de aspectos clínicos e funcionais do processo saúde-doença, mas de experiências sociais e estilos de vida 10 .…”