Life course social mobility, race and tooth loss in adulthood: The role of dental health services.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent to which dental care factors in adulthood modify and, at the same time, mediate the association between race/ethnicity and social mobility from childhood to adulthood with two oral health outcomes in adults. METHODS: In 2012, 1222 individuals 20-59 years old participated in the second wave of the Epi-Floripa Study in Florianopolis, Brazil. Exposures included social mobility based on adulthood and childhood events, dental care in previous years, type of dental care coverage, reason for dental visits and race. The number of missing and decayed teeth were dichotomised as MT >0 and DT >0. RESULTS: The prevalence of missing and decayed teeth was 61.9% and 23.0%, respectively. Age-sex adjusted inequalities in decayed and missing teeth among Black and White individuals were 41.2 percentage points (pp) (95% CI: 3.9-78.7) and 53.1 pp (19.5:86.7), respectively. Inequalities between those persistently higher and lower in socioeconomic position were 42.6 pp (14.6-70.7) and 90.0 pp (62.1-100). The Relative Excess of Risk due to Interaction (RERI) was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analyses showed that dental care variables accounted for a small proportion of inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: This result implies that dental care is unlikely to significantly reduce or increase oral health inequalities in this particular population.

Quantifying and explaining variation in life expectancy at census tract, county, and state levels in the United States.

Studies on geographic inequalities in life expectancy in the United States have exclusively focused on single-level analyses of aggregated data at state or county level. This study develops a multilevel perspective to understanding variation in life expectancy by simultaneously modeling the geographic variation at the levels of census tracts (CTs), counties, and states. We analyzed data from 65,662 CTs, nested within 3,020 counties and 48 states (plus District of Columbia). The dependent variable was age-specific life expectancy observed in each of the CTs. We also considered the following CT-level socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as independent variables: population density; proportions of population who are black, who are single parents, who are below the federal poverty line, and who are aged 25 or older who have a bachelor's degree or higher; and median household income. Of the total geographic variation in life expectancy at birth, 70.4% of the variation was attributed to CTs, followed by 19.0% for states and 10.7% for counties. The relative importance of CTs was greater for life expectancy at older ages (70.4 to 96.8%). The CT-level independent variables explained 5 to 76.6% of between-state variation, 11.1 to 58.6% of between-county variation, and 0.7 to 44.9% of between-CT variation in life expectancy across different age groups. Our findings indicate that population inequalities in longevity in the United States are primarily a local phenomenon. There is a need for greater precision and targeting of local geographies in public policy discourse aimed at reducing health inequalities in the United States.

Area-level inequalities in Covid-19 outcomes in Brazil in 2020 and 2021: An analysis of 1,894,165 severe Covid-19 cases.

The study aims to analyze inequalities in Covid-19 outcomes in Brazil in 2020/2021 according to the per capita Gross Domestic Product (pcGDP) of municipalities. All cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) who were hospitalized or died, regardless of hospitalization, registered in Brazil in 2020 and 2021 were analyzed (n = 2,902,742), including those with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 (n = 1,894,165). We calculated lethality due to Covid-19, the performance of diagnostic tests among patients with SARS, and the hospital care received by those with Covid-19 according to the pcGDP of the patients' municipalities of residence. Data were analyzed for each epidemiological week and the risk of each outcome was estimated using Poisson regression. Municipalities in the lowest pcGDP decile had (i) 30% (95%CI 28%-32%) higher lethality from Covid-19, (ii) three times higher proportion of patients with SARS without the collection of biological material for the diagnosis of Covid-19, (iii) 16% (95%CI 15%-16%) higher proportion of SARS patients testing in a period longer than two days from the onset of symptoms, (iv) 140% (95%CI 134%-145%) higher absence of CT scan use. There is deep socioeconomic inequality among Brazilian municipalities regarding the occurrence of Covid-19 negative outcomes.

Educational strategies for human resources in home health care: 8 years' experience from Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics, enrollments and completion rates of healthcare professionals enrolled in Self-Instructional Online Courses of the Home Health Care Multicentre Qualification Program, developed by the Ministry of Health and the Universidade Aberta do SUS (UNASUS), and its relationship with Home Health Care Teams implementation. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Self-Instructional Online Courses' UNASUS enrollment platform database (2012-2018), cross-referenced with the Health Facilities' National Database and compared to Home Care General Coordination team's database. Main outcomes were completion rates and number of courses enrollments, analyzed by sex, age, region, location, profession, workplace, health teams and course type. RESULTS: Men applied to courses slightly more than women and completion rates were higher (37.1 vs 30.5, p < 0.001); there was a small decline in completion rates by age groups (from 32.8% in 18-29 yr to 31.1% in 46-50 yr age group, p < 0.001) and a rise in course enrollment number, probably related to progressively "digital native" generations. Self-Instructional Online Courses were attended in all Brazilian states and reached all municipality sizes, with completion rates rising from 29.9% in the North to 37.3 in the South; 30-hour courses were completed by almost twice as many professionals as 45-hour and 60-hour courses, suggesting that modularity may improve completion rates. State distribution and national coverage suggest adequate range and coincidence between enrollment and Home Health Care Teams distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Regional aspects influence professional interaction with courses; the feminization of health professions and women's lower completion rates suggest the need for a deeper gender perspective in health facilities and training services. Self- Instructional Online Courses for Home Health Care were an important outreach strategy, with professional's doubts answered more contextually.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las características, inscripciones y tasas de finalización de los profesionales de la salud inscritos en los cursos de autoaprendizaje en línea del Programa de Cualificación Multicéntrico de Atención Domiciliaria (desarrollado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil y la Universidad Aberta do SUS, UNASUS), y su relación con la implementación de Equipos de Atención Domiciliaria. MÉTODOS: Se extrajeron los datos de la base de datos de la plataforma de inscripción de cursos de autoaprendizaje en línea de la UNASUS (2012-2018); estos se cruzaron con los datos de la Base de Datos Nacional de Establecimientos de Salud y se compararon con la base de datos del equipo de Coordinación General de Atención Domiciliaria. Se analizaron las tasas de finalización y el número de inscripciones en los cursos según sexo, edad, región, ubicación, profesión, lugar de trabajo, equipo de salud y tipo de curso. RESULTADOS: Los varones se inscribieron ligeramente más que las mujeres y las tasas de finalización fueron más elevadas (37,1 frente a 30,5, p < 0,001); hubo una pequeña disminución en las tasas de finalización según la edad (de 32,8% en el grupo de 18 a 29 años a 31,1% en el grupo de 46 a 50 años, p < 0,001) y un aumento en el número de inscripciones en los cursos, probablemente relacionado con generaciones progresivamente más "nativas digitales". Los cursos tuvieron participantes de todos los estados brasileños y de municipios de todos los tamaños, con tasas de finalización que aumentaron del 29,9% en el norte del país al 37,3% en el sur; los cursos de 30 horas fueron completados por casi el doble de profesionales que los cursos de 45 y 60 horas, lo que sugiere que la modularidad puede mejorar las tasas de finalización. La distribución por estados y la cobertura nacional sugieren un rango adecuado y una coincidencia entre la matrícula de inscriptos y la distribución de los equipos de atención de salud domiciliaria. CONCLUSIONES: Existen factores regionales que influyen en la interacción de los profesionales con los cursos; la feminización de las profesiones sanitarias y las menores tasas de finalización de las mujeres sugieren la necesidad de una perspectiva de género más profunda en los centros de salud y los servicios de capacitación. Los cursos de autoaprendizaje en línea para profesionales de atención de salud domiciliaria fueron una importante estrategia de divulgación, en la que las dudas de los profesionales se resolvieron de manera más contextual.

Association between built environment and the incidence of disability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living in the older adults: Results of a cohort study in southern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between subjective and objective characteristics of the built environment and the incidence of disability in the activities of daily living in the older adults. A cohort study was conducted with 1196 older adults from Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Incidences were evaluated after four years by the difficulty or inability to perform six basic and nine instrumental activities. The subjective built environment was evaluated by the adapted Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale and the objective for variables related to the characteristics of streets, sidewalks and land uses in the census tracts. Multilevel Logistic Regression analyzes were performed, where significant positive associations were observed between the presence of hills, and negative associations between safety for walking at night, a high proportion of commercial area, intermediate mixed land use and the incidence of disability in basic activities. The built environment characteristics associated with disability point to the need for improvements in urban infrastructure to promote functional independence in the older adults.

Chronic diseases and socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life among Brazilian adults: findings from a population-based study in Southern Brazil.

Background: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic conditions and the quality of life (QoL) in adults and investigate whether these inequalities are greater among individuals with long-lasting chronic health conditions. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the second wave (2012) of the EpiFloripa Study, a population-based cohort of 1720 adults living in Southern Brazil. QoL domains (physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental) were evaluated using the WHOQoL-BREF. Unadjusted and adjusted means of QoL according to socioeconomic and demographic variables were estimated and stratified by the presence of long-lasting chronic conditions (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, tendinitis, arthritis, rheumatism and/or fibromyalgia) were peformed in 2016. Results: Among 1222 interviewed adults (56.6% females, mean age 41.7 ± 11.4 years; follow-up rate 71.1%), the prevalence of 1+ long-lasting chronic disease was 37.3% (95%CI: 34.4-40.3). Their effect on the QoL was four times higher on the physical component (-9.6; 95%CI -12.1; -7.1) than on the other domains. Adults aged 40+ years with black skin colour or lower educational level had a lower physical QoL score only when any chronic disease was present. Among those with some chronic illness, the psychological domain was also lower among those aged 40+ years and with a lower family income. No interaction between sociodemographic variables and chronic diseases was observed for the other QoL domains. Conclusions: The occurrence of long-lasting chronic diseases is associated with inequalities in QoL (physical and psychological domains), with stronger adverse effects among older adults, blacks and individuals with lower income or educational levels.

Association between socioeconomic and physical/built neighborhoods and disability: A systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the association between the characteristics of the socioeconomic and physical/built neighborhoods and disability in basic activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Six databases were searched. Fourteen from the 1811 identified studies were included. Neighborhoods with socioeconomic disadvantage were associated with ADL/IADL disabilities in 7 out of the 11 studies with this objective. Worst features of the physical/built neighborhoods were associated with disabilities in only 3 of the 7 studies that investigated this. Relative to the physical/built, the socioeconomic neighborhood and ADL/IADL disabilities were more consistently associated in the still scarcely available literature on the subject.

Correction: The Brazilian vaccine divide: How some municipalities were left behind in the Covid-19 vaccine coverage.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002493.].

Increasing primary care capacity and referral efficiency: A case study of a telehealth centre eConsult service in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: eConsults are asynchronous digital communications for primary care professionals to seek timely specialist advice. Potential benefits include increased primary healthcare capacity and referral efficiency. Santa Catarina Telehealth Centre in Brazil has offered eConsults for an increasing number of specialties since 2008. This study described the characteristics of this service, including referral efficiency, sustainability, and satisfaction. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal analysis of eConsults activity data from 2015 to 2022 with three domains of the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine Applications used to structure the analysis. RESULTS: Characteristics of the application: The total number of eConsults performed in 2015 was 4764, reaching 41,178 in 2022. While 30.3% of eConsults were synchronous in 2015, only asynchronous communication remained from 2021. Clinical effectiveness: eConsults requested to refer patients to specialist care resulting in primary care management remaining above 30% of the total for all specialties from 2019 to 2022, with hematology having the highest percentage (>52%). Organizational aspects: Established workflows with local specialists responding to eConsults (cardiology, endocrinology, hematology and orthopaedics) kept a constant or increasing number of eConsults and maintained the proportion of primary care management from 2019 to 2022, once recovered from COVID-19 and funding restrictions-related reductions. Over 90% of primary care professionals are either satisfied or very satisfied with the eConsult service. CONCLUSION: Over 8 years, 223,734 consultations were conducted, with high satisfaction, demonstrating the substantial potential for increased primary care-sensitive conditions management. Hiring local specialists, fostering integrated care, and enabling sustainable workflows are key to eConsults' success.

Socioeconomic inequality in hospital case fatality rate and care among children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of hospital case fatality rate and care received by children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Brazilian municipalities and regions of residence. METHODS: Data were collected from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The dichotomous outcomes analyzed were hospital case fatality rate of COVID-19, biological samples collected for COVID-19 diagnosis, X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, use of ventilatory support, and intensive care unit hospitalization. The covariates were municipal GDP per capita and the Brazilian region of residence. Poisson regression was used for the outcomes recorded in 2020 and 2021 in Brazil, covering the two COVID-19 waves in the country, adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: The hospital case fatality rate was 7.6%. In municipalities with lower GDP per capita deciles, the case fatality rate was almost four times higher among children and twice as high in adolescents compared to cities with higher deciles. Additionally, residents of municipalities with lower GDP per capita had fewer biological samples collected for diagnosis, X-ray examinations, and CT scans. We found regional disparities associated with case fatality rate, with worse indicators in the North and Northeast regions. The findings remained consistent over the two COVID-19 waves. CONCLUSION: Municipalities with lower GDP per capita, as well as the North and Northeast regions, had worse indicators of hospital case fatality rate and care.

Uncovering inequities in Covid-19 vaccine coverage for adults and elderly in Brazil: A multilevel study of 2021-2022 data.

Vaccination is crucial for reducing severe COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, vaccine access disparities within countries, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, may leave disadvantaged regions and populations behind. This study aimed to investigate potential inequalities in vaccine coverage among Brazilian aged 18 years and older based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic characteristics at the municipal level. A total of 389 million vaccination records from the National Immunization Program Information System were analyzed to calculate vaccine coverage rates for the first, second, and booster doses among adults (18-59 years) and elderly (60 + years) vaccinated between January 2021 and December 2022. We analyzed the data by gender and used a three-level (municipalities, states, regions) multilevel regression analysis to assess the association between vaccine coverage and municipal characteristics. Vaccination coverage was higher among the elderly than among adults, particularly for the second and booster doses. Adult women showed higher coverage rates than men (ranging from 118 % to 25 % higher along the analyzed period). Significant inequalities were observed when analyzing the evolution of vaccination coverage by sociodemographic characteristics of municipalities. In the early stages of the vaccination campaign, municipalities with higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (pGDP), educational level, and fewer Black residents reached higher population coverages earlier. In December 2022, adult and elderly booster vaccine coverage was 43 % and 19 %, respectively, higher in municipalities in the highest quintile of educational level. Higher vaccine uptake was also observed in municipalities with fewer Black residents and higher pGDP. Municipalities accounted for most of the variance in vaccine coverage (59.7 %-90.4 % depending on the dose and age group). This study emphasizes the inadequate booster coverage and the presence of socioeconomic and demographic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. These issues must be addressed through equitable interventions to avoid potential disparities in morbidity and mortality.

The Brazilian vaccine divide: How some municipalities were left behind in the Covid-19 vaccine coverage.

This study aims to assess the progress of geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination coverage in Brazil over the first two years of the vaccination campaign. Data from the National Immunization Program Information System were used to estimate covid-19 vaccine coverage. Brazilian municipalities were divided into two groups based on their vaccine coverage for the booster dose. The first group comprised 20% of municipalities with the lowest coverage, while the second group (80% of municipalities) had higher coverage. The analysis was conducted separately for four age groups: 5-11, 12-17, 18-59, and 60+. Explanatory variables included socioeconomic and health services indicators. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the probability of a municipality being among those with the worst vaccination coverage according to the categories of exploratory variables. Between January/2021 and December/2022, Brazil administered 448.2 million doses of the covid-19 vaccine. The booster vaccination coverage varied from 24.8% among adolescents to 79.7% among the elderly. The difference between the group with the highest and lowest coverage increased during the national vaccination campaign. Municipalities with lower education levels, higher proportion of Black population, higher Gini index, and worse health service indicators had a greater likelihood of having lower vaccination coverage. High and increasing levels of inequality in Covid-19 vaccination were observed in Brazil across all age groups during the vaccination campaign in 2021-2022.

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers: A Critical Sentinel Group for Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Shift.

SARS-CoV-2 genome surveillance is important for monitoring risk groups and health workers as well as data on new cases and mortality rate due to COVID-19. We characterized the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants from May 2021 to April 2022 in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and evaluated the similarity between variants present in the population and healthcare workers (HCW). A total of 5291 sequenced genomes demonstrated the circulation of 55 strains and four variants of concern (Alpha, Delta, Gamma and Omicron-sublineages BA.1 and BA.2). The number of cases was relatively low in May 2021, but the number of deaths was higher with the Gamma variant. There was a significant increase in both numbers between December 2021 and February 2022, peaking in mid-January 2022, when the Omicron variant dominated. After May 2021, two distinct variant groups (Delta and Omicron) were observed, equally distributed among the five Santa Catarina mesoregions. Moreover, from November 2021 to February 2022, similar variant profiles between HCW and the general population were observed, and a quicker shift from Delta to Omicron in HCW than in the general population. This demonstrates the importance of HCW as a sentinel group for monitoring disease trends in the general population.

National Vaccine Coverage Survey 2020: methods and operational aspects.

OBJECTIVE: The national vaccination coverage survey on full vaccination at 12 and 24 months of age was carried out to investigate drops in coverage as of 2016. METHODS: A sample of 37,836 live births from the 2017 or 2018 cohorts living in capital cities, the Federal District, and 12 inner cities with 100 thousand inhabitants were followed for the first 24 months through vaccine record cards. Census tracts stratified according to socioeconomic levels had the same number of children included in each stratum. Coverage for each vaccine, full vaccination at 12 and 24 months and number of doses administered, valid and timely, were calculated. Family, maternal and child factors associated with coverage were surveyed. The reasons for not vaccinating analyzed were: medical contraindications, access difficulties, problems with the program, and vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Preliminary results showed that less than 1% of children were not vaccinated, full coverage was less than 75% at all capitals and the Federal District, vaccines requiring more than one dose progressively lost coverage, and there were inequalities among socioeconomic strata, favorable to the highest level in some cities and to the lowest in others. CONCLUSION: There was an actual reduction in full vaccination in all capitals and the Federal District for children born in 2017 and 2018, showing a deteriorating implementation of the National Immunization Program from 2017 to 2019. The survey did not measure the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have further reduced vaccination coverage.

Air Pollution, Socioeconomic Status, and Age-Specific Mortality Risk in the United States.

Importance: Prior studies on the association between fine particulate matter with diameters 2.5 µm or smaller (PM2.5) and probability of death have not applied multilevel analysis disaggregating data for US census tract, states, and counties, nor tested its interaction by socioeconomic status (SES). Such an approach could provide a more refined identification and targeting of populations exposed to increased risk from PM2.5. Objective: To assess the association between PM2.5 and age-specific mortality risk (ASMR) using disaggregated data at the census tract level and evaluate such association according to census tract SES. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nationwide cross-sectional study used a linkage of 3 different data sets. ASMR for the period of 2010 to 2015 was obtained from the National Center for Health Statistic, SES data covering a period from 2006 to 2016 came from the American Community Survey, and mean PM2.5 exposure levels from 2010 to 2015 were derived from well-validated atmospheric chemistry and machine learning models. Data were analyzed in April 2021. Exposures: The main exploratory variable was mean census tract-level long-term exposure to PM2.5 from 2010 to 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was census tract-level ASMR. Multilevel models were used to quantify the geographic variation in ASMR at levels of census tract, county, and state. Additional analysis explored the interaction of SES in the association of ASMR with PM2.5 exposure. Results: Data from 67 148 census tracts nested in 3087 counties and 50 states were analyzed. The association between exposure to PM2.5 and ASMR varied substantially across census tracts. The magnitude of such association also varied across age groups, being higher among adults and older adults. Census tracts accounted for most of the total geographic variation in mortality risk (range, 77.0%-94.2%). ASMR was higher in deciles with greater PM2.5 concentration. For example, ASMR for age 75 to 84 years was 54.6 per 1000 population higher in the decile with the second-highest PM2.5 concentration than in the decile with the lowest PM2.5 concentration. The ASMR, PM2.5 concentrations, and magnitude of the association between both were higher in the census tracts with the lowest SES. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found that census tracts with lower SES presented higher PM2.5 concentrations. ASMR and air pollution varied substantially across census tracts. There was an association between air pollution and ASMR across all age groups in the United States. These findings suggest that equitable public policies aimed at improving air quality are needed and important to increase life expectancy.

[Prevalence rates and inequalities in access to medicines by users of the Brazilian Unified National Health System in 2013 and 2019]. / Prevalências e desigualdades no acesso aos medicamentos por usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde no Brasil em 2013 e 2019.

The study aimed to analyze and compare the prevalence of access to medicines and associated factors among users of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). The authors analyzed data from the 2013 and 2019 editions of the Brazilian National Health Survey, a nationwide health study, representative of the Brazilian population. The outcomes were: (1) obtaining from the SUS all the medicines prescribed during care received in the SUS itself in the two weeks prior to the interview (2) and obtaining all the medicines, regardless of the source. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were included as independent variables. In 2019, 29.7% of the interviewees obtained all the prescribed medicines from the SUS, 81.8% obtained all the medicines in general (considering all sources), and 56.4% paid some amount for the medicines. The proportion who did obtain any medicine from the SUS and that made some out-of-pocket payment increased from 2013 to 2019. The likelihood of obtaining all the medicines in the SUS was higher among the poorest, and that of obtaining the medicines regardless of source was higher among the wealthiest. Approximately two out of three persons that were unable to access all the medicines reported difficulties obtaining them in services funded by the public sector. There was an increase in out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines in Brazil and a reduction in access through the SUS, among users of the system.

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e comparar a prevalência, a forma de obtenção e os fatores associados ao acesso a medicamentos entre usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil. Foram analisados os dados das edições 2013 e 2019 da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, estudo de abrangência nacional e representativo da população brasileira. Os desfechos foram: (1) a obtenção total, por meio do SUS, dos medicamentos prescritos em atendimentos em saúde realizados no próprio SUS nas duas semanas anteriores à entrevista, e (2) a obtenção total dos medicamentos independentemente da fonte. Características demográficas e socioeconômicas foram incluídas como variáveis independentes. Em 2019, observou-se que 29,7% dos entrevistados obtiveram no SUS todos os medicamentos prescritos, que 81,8% tiveram acesso total aos medicamentos quando consideradas todas as fontes de obtenção e que 56,4% pagaram algum valor pelos medicamentos. A proporção de pessoas que não obtiveram nenhum medicamento no SUS e que efetuaram algum desembolso direto aumentou entre 2013 e 2019. A probabilidade de obter todos os medicamentos no SUS foi maior entre os mais pobres, e de consegui-los, independentemente da fonte, foi maior entre os mais ricos. Dentre as pessoas que não conseguiram acesso a todos os medicamentos, aproximadamente duas em cada três indicaram como principal motivo dificuldades de obtenção encontradas em serviços financiados pelo setor público. Verificou-se ampliação do desembolso direto para compra de medicamentos no Brasil e redução de acesso pelo SUS entre usuários do sistema.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar y comparar la prevalencia, la forma de obtención y los factores asociados al acceso a los medicamentos entre los usuarios del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en Brasil. Se analizaron los datos de las ediciones 2013 y 2019 de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, un estudio de cobertura nacional y representativo de la población brasileña. Los resultados fueron: (1) la obtención total, a través del SUS, de los medicamentos prescritos en los servicios de salud realizados en el propio SUS en las dos semanas anteriores a la entrevista, y (2) la obtención total de los medicamentos independientemente de la fuente. Las características demográficas y socioeconómicas se incluyeron como variables independientes. En 2019 se observó que el 29,7% de los entrevistados obtuvo todos los medicamentos prescritos en el SUS, que el 81,8% tuvo acceso total a los medicamentos al considerar todas las fuentes de obtención y que el 56,4% pagó por los medicamentos. La proporción de personas que no obtuvieron ningún medicamento en el SUS y que realizaron algún gasto directo aumentó entre 2013 y 2019. Entre los pobres, la probabilidad de obtener todos los medicamentos del SUS fue mayor, y entre los más ricos también fue mayor esta obtención independientemente de la fuente. Entre las personas que no pudieron acceder a todos los medicamentos, aproximadamente dos de cada tres indicaron como razón principal las dificultades que se encuentran en los servicios financiados con fondos públicos. Hubo un aumento del gasto directo para la compra de medicamentos en Brasil y una reducción del acceso a través del SUS entre los usuarios del sistema.

[Challenges for the sustainability of Brazilian scientific journals and the SciELO Program]. / Desafios para a sustentabilidade dos periódicos científicos brasileiros e do Programa SciELO.

Scientific journals play a fundamental role in the development of science. However, in Brazil, there are major challenges for their sustainability, as well as for the sustainability of the SciELO Program. The article reports a worrying scenario of low public funding and lack of strategic planning for long-term funding for scientific publication, contrary to the development of Brazilian journals and the SciELO Program. This scenario places great pressure on journals, with reports of situations of closure of activities, or implementation of fees charged to authors, while bringing financial insecurity to the SciELO Program. The actions taken by Brazilian scientific societies and the position of the Forum of Editors of Public Health Journals are aligned with that of the Advisory Committee of the SciELO Brazil Collection, namely that the publication of scientific journals edited in Brazil is strategic and, therefore, should be fostered through public policies and supported with public financing from the sponsoring institutions and grants from the research funding institutions.

As revistas científicas têm papel fundamental para o desenvolvimento da ciência. Contudo, no Brasil, existem grandes desafios para sua sustentabilidade, assim como do Programa SciELO. O artigo relata um cenário preocupante de baixo financiamento público e ausência de planejamento estratégico com financiamento de longo prazo para a publicação científica, na contramão do desenvolvimento das revistas brasileiras e do Programa SciELO. Tal cenário impõe grande pressão às revistas, com relatos de situações de encerramento de atividades, ou implementação de cobrança de taxas aos autores, ao mesmo tempo que traz insegurança financeira ao Programa SciELO. São informadas as ações tomadas por sociedades científicas Brasileiras e a posição do Fórum de Editores das Revistas da Saúde Coletiva, alinhada à do Comitê Consultivo da Coleção SciELO Brasil, de que a publicação de periódicos científicos editados no Brasil é estratégica e, portanto, deve ser incentivada por meio de políticas públicas e apoiada com recursos públicos provenientes das instituições mantenedoras e dos editais das agências de fomento.

[Factors associated with leisure-time physical activity: analysis of Brazilians with chronic diseases]. / Fatores associados à prática de atividade física no lazer: análise dos brasileiros com doenças crônicas.

The scope of this study was to analyze the prevalence and the factors associated with sufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among Brazilians diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes and/or hypercholesterolemia. It involved a representative, cross-sectional population-based study for the entire Brazilian territory. Adults aged 20 years and over were interviewed. Prevalences were estimated and, by means of logistic regression, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of the outcome were calculated in accordance with each of the exploratory variables. The prevalence of sufficient LTPA was 15.9%, 15.3% and 21.4% among people with hypertension (n=12,228), diabetes (n=3,577) and hypercholesterolemia (n=7,124), respectively. These values were lower than those observed among adults who did not report one of the three diseases. Adjusted analysis showed that individuals with positive self-perception of health and with more schooling, who reported a public space near their homes for physical activity, the existence in the city of public programs that encourage physical activity and the recommendation of health professionals to practice LTPA, were associated with a greater chance of being sufficiently active.

O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a prevalência e os fatores associados à prática de atividade física no lazer (PAFL) suficiente em brasileiros com diagnósticos de hipertensão arterial, diabetes e/ou hipercolesterolemia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional com representatividade para todo o território brasileiro. Foram entrevistados adultos com 20 ou mais anos de idade. Foram estimadas prevalências e, por meio de regressão logística, calculadas as razões de chance (OR) bruta e ajustada do desfecho segundo cada uma das variáveis exploratórias. A prevalência de PAFL suficiente foi de 15,9%, 15,3% e 21,4% entre as pessoas com hipertensão arterial (n=12.228), diabetes (n=3.577) e hipercolesterolemia (n=7.124), respectivamente. Tais valores foram inferiores ao observado entre os adultos que não referiram uma das três doenças. Análise ajustada mostrou que indivíduos com autopercepção positiva da saúde, com maior escolaridade, que referiram espaço público próximo ao domicílio para a realização de atividade física, presença no município de programas públicos que estimulem a prática de atividade física e recomendação de profissional de saúde para a PAFL estiveram associados a maior chance de serem suficientemente ativos.

Inequalities in the access to healthy urban structure and housing: an analysis of the Brazilian census data.

This study aims (1) to test the association between access to basic sanitation/hygiene services in Brazilian households with their householders' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics; (2) to analyze the distribution of urban health-relevant elements in the census tracts according to their income, education and race/color composition. The information come from the 2010 Brazilian Demographic Census, which collected data regarding both household conditions and urban structure of the census tracts. Prevalence ratios were calculated using crude and adjusted Poisson regression models. The proportional distribution of the census-tract urban structure was performed, according to the deciles of the exploratory variables, and the ratios and the absolute differences between the extreme deciles were calculated. Around 4.8% of the households had no piped water, 34.7% had no sewage collection system, 9.8% had no garbage collection and 39% were considered inadequate. Families whose householders were black, indigenous or brown had lower income and educational level, and lived in the North, Northeast, and Central West regions. They were more likely to be considered inappropriate for not having piped water, sewage collection system, and garbage collection. Moreover, sectors where the majority of the population was black, had lower educational levels and lower income had significantly poor paving, street lighting, afforestation, storm drain, sidewalk and wheelchair ramp. This study analyzed national data from 2010 and provides a baseline for future studies and government planning. The relevant social inequalities reported in this study need to be addressed by effective public policies.

Recommendation and physical activity practice in Brazilians with chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with professional recommendation and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in Brazilian individuals diagnosed with hypertension (HBP), diabetes, and/or hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional population-based study with a representative sample of the Brazilian population (aged ≥20 years) in 2013, with self-reported HBP (n=11.098), diabetes (n=3.176), and/or hypercholesterolemia (n=7.252). Prevalence and gross odds ratios were estimated and adjusted for both outcomes. RESULTS: Professional recommendation and LTPA were more prevalent in individuals who received recommendation and presented with hypercholesterolemia (85.9 and 23.4%, respectively). Adjusted analysis showed an association in people 40 to 59 years of age and public programs in most diseases. Higher educational level was associated with receiving recommendations in all non-communicable diseases (NCDs). LTPA was associated in people 40 to 59 years of age for HBP and diabetes and in all investigated NCDs, higher educational level, positive perception of health, and a favorable environment in those who received recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Education presented the greatest magnitude in the associations, clearly showing the need for equitable methods to increase recommendation and LTPA levels for the most vulnerable population. Further studies analyzing other variables and NCD are needed, corroborating the Ministry of Health.