Social determinants of health, universal health coverage, and sustainable development: case studies from Latin American countries.

Many intrinsically related determinants of health and disease exist, including social and economic status, education, employment, housing, and physical and environmental exposures. These factors interact to cumulatively affect health and disease burden of individuals and populations, and to establish health inequities and disparities across and within countries. Biomedical models of health care decrease adverse consequences of disease, but are not enough to effectively improve individual and population health and advance health equity. Social determinants of health are especially important in Latin American countries, which are characterised by adverse colonial legacies, tremendous social injustice, huge socioeconomic disparities, and wide health inequities. Poverty and inequality worsened substantially in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s in these countries. Many Latin American countries have introduced public policies that integrate health, social, and economic actions, and have sought to develop health systems that incorporate multisectoral interventions when introducing universal health coverage to improve health and its upstream determinants. We present case studies from four Latin American countries to show the design and implementation of health programmes underpinned by intersectoral action and social participation that have reached national scale to effectively address social determinants of health, improve health outcomes, and reduce health inequities. Investment in managerial and political capacity, strong political and managerial commitment, and state programmes, not just time-limited government actions, have been crucial in underpinning the success of these policies.

Mapping of capacities for research on health and its social determinants in Brazil.

This article describes tendencies in research on social determinants of health (SDH) and health inequities in Brazil (2005-2012) and maps research system structures to analyze capacities for research on health and its social determinants. Brazil has a strong national research system and counts on a wealth of research in the field of SDH drawing on a long tradition of research and political commitment in this area. While innovative strategies seeking to strengthen the links between research, policy and practice have been developed, the impact of SDH research continues to be largely restricted to the academic community with notable but still insufficient repercussions on public policy and the social determinants of health inequities. SDH research in Brazil will therefore need to become even more responsive to social urgencies and better attuned to political processes, enhancing its capacity to influence strategic policy decisions affecting health inequities and mobilize strategic agendas for health equity.

Desigualdades socioespaciais relacionadas à tuberculose no município de Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro / Socio-spatial inequalities related to tuberculosis in the city of Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro

RESUMO: Introdução: A tuberculose ainda é um problema de saúde pública mundial e sua ocorrência e distribuição estão associadas às desigualdades sociais. Itaboraí está entre os municípios brasileiros prioritários para o controle dessa doença. Os objetivos deste estudo foram combinar indicadores sociais em um indicador sintético para mensurar as diferenças nas condições de vida da população de Itaboraí, assim como evidenciar prováveis desigualdades em saúde relacionadas à tuberculose. Métodos: Estudo ecológico, com análise espacial da tuberculose e sua relação com a situação socioeconômica e demográfica das famílias residentes. Os dados foram obtidos de indivíduos residentes, declarados no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) ou registrados no Sistema de Informação de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB), entre 2007 a 2013. Resultados: Evidências indicam associação entre desigualdades sociodemográficas e ocorrência de tuberculose na população. Achados apontam menor percentual de cura e maior percentagem de abandono e óbito em áreas com maior vulnerabilidade social, com risco relativo mais de duas vezes superior ao encontrado nas áreas de menor vulnerabilidade. Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou fortes evidências de que a influência de condições sociodemográficas desiguais tem efeitos perniciosos nas condições de saúde da população em Itaboraí.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Tuberculosis remains as a global public health problem and its occurrence and distribution is associated with social inequalities. Itaboraí is among the priority Brazilian municipalities for tuberculosis control. The study aimed to combine social indicators into a composite indicator to measure differences in living conditions of the population in Itaboraí, as well as evidence of health inequalities related to tuberculosis. Methods: An ecological study, with spatial analysis of tuberculosis and its relation to socioeconomic and demographic status of households. Data were obtained from individuals declared in the Mortality Information System (SIM), notified in the Notification of Injury Information System - SINAN or Tuberculosis Special Treatment Information System - SITETB from 2007 to 2013. Results: Evidence indicates association between sociodemographic inequalities and occurrence of tuberculosis in the population. Findings point to a lower percentage of healing and a higher percentage of abandonment and death in areas with high social vulnerability, with a relative risk over twice as high than that found in areas of lower vulnerability. Conclusion: The study showed strong evidence that the influence of unequal sociodemographic conditions have a negative impact on health conditions of the population in Itaboraí.

Public policy and the social determinants of health: the challenge of the production and use of scientific evidence.

This article serves as an introduction to the others published in this thematic issue of the Cadernos de Saúde Pública. The author makes a brief historical review of the concepts, approaches and methodologies used to study the relationships between social determinants and health outcomes. By analyzing the current global movement around social determinants of health he emphasizes that the distinctive feature of this movement is the explicit commitment to action through intersectoral public policies that are based on evidence and implemented with the support and participation of broad segments of society. As this special issue of the Cadernos de Saúde Pública is dedicated to presenting the results of research related to social determinants of health, the author focuses on an analysis of the difficulties in the production and use of scientific evidence that supports the definition, implementation and evaluation of policies to combat health inequities through action on social determinants of health. To conclude, he presents some recommendations for overcoming these difficulties.

Mapping of capacities for research on health and its social determinants in Brazil / Mapeamento da produção e das estruturas de pesquisa sobre determinantes sociais da saúde no Brasil / Mapeo de capacidades para la investigación sobre determinantes sociales de la salud en Brasil

This article describes tendencies in research on social determinants of health (SDH) and health inequities in Brazil (2005-2012) and maps research system structures to analyze capacities for research on health and its social determinants. Brazil has a strong national research system and counts on a wealth of research in the field of SDH drawing on a long tradition of research and political commitment in this area. While innovative strategies seeking to strengthen the links between research, policy and practice have been developed, the impact of SDH research continues to be largely restricted to the academic community with notable but still insufficient repercussions on public policy and the social determinants of health inequities. SDH research in Brazil will therefore need to become even more responsive to social urgencies and better attuned to political processes, enhancing its capacity to influence strategic policy decisions affecting health inequities and mobilize strategic agendas for health equity.

Este artigo descreve as tendências na produção de pesquisa sobre os determinantes sociais da saúde (DSS) no Brasil (2005-2012) e mapeia as estruturas do sistema de pesquisa sobre saúde e seus determinantes sociais. O país tem um sólido sistema nacional de pesquisa e conta com uma rica produção sobre DSS e suas iniquidades ancoradas em uma longa tradição de pesquisa e compromisso político nesse campo. Apesar das estratégias inovadoras que buscam fortalecer os vínculos entre pesquisa, políticas e práticas, o impacto da investigação sobre DSS continua a ser em grande parte restrito à comunidade acadêmica, com repercussões notáveis, mas ainda insuficientes sobre a política pública e os determinantes sociais das iniquidades em saúde. Portanto, a pesquisa sobre DSS no Brasil necessita tornar-se ainda mais sensível às urgências sociais e desenvolver uma melhor sintonia com os processos políticos, aumentando a sua capacidade de influenciar decisões estratégicas que possam afetar as iniquidades em saúde e mobilizar agendas para a promoção da equidade.

Este artículo pretende analizar las capacidades de investigación sobre determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) en Brasil, mapeando instituciones y grupos de investigación, así como las principales tendencias temáticas y dimensiones cuantitativas de la producción científica brasileña en este área (2005-2012). Brasil posee un sistema nacional de investigación en salud bien consolidado y la producción científica sobre la temática es amplia. Se han logrado ampliar los nexos entre la producción científica y la política pública en el campo de los DSS, estableciendo un compromiso político estable en torno a este tema. Sin embargo, cabe notar que la investigación sobre DSS continua teniendo poco impacto sobre políticas públicas y los determinantes sociales de las inequidades en salud. La investigación sobre DSS en Brasil, por lo tanto, necesita ser más sensible a las urgencias sociales y adaptarse mejor a los procesos políticos, aumentando su capacidad influencia en las decisiones políticas que afectan las inequidades en salud, además de movilizar agendas estratégicas para la equidad en salud.

Public policy and the social determinants of health: the challenge of the production and use of scientific evidence / Políticas públicas e determinantes sociais da saúde: o desafio da produção e uso das evidencias científicas

This article serves as an introduction to the others published in this thematic issue of the Cadernos de Saúde Pública. The author makes a brief historical review of the concepts, approaches and methodologies used to study the relationships between social determinants and health outcomes. By analyzing the current global movement around social determinants of health he emphasizes that the distinctive feature of this movement is the explicit commitment to action through intersectoral public policies that are based on evidence and implemented with the support and participation of broad segments of society. As this special issue of the Cadernos de Saúde Pública is dedicated to presenting the results of research related to social determinants of health, the author focuses on an analysis of the difficulties in the production and use of scientific evidence that supports the definition, implementation and evaluation of policies to combat health inequities through action on social determinants of health. To conclude, he presents some recommendations for overcoming these difficulties.

Este artigo tem um caráter introdutório aos demais publicados neste número temático de Cadernos de Saúde Pública. O autor faz uma revisão histórica dos conceitos, enfoques e metodologias utilizados para o estudo das relações entre os determinantes sociais e a situação de saúde. Ao analisar o atual movimento global em torno dos determinantes sociais da saúde considera que seu traço distintivo é o explícito compromisso com a ação através de políticas públicas intersetoriais baseadas em evidências e implantadas com o apoio e participação de amplos segmentos sociais. Como este número temático dos Cad Saúde Pública se dedica a apresentar os resultados de pesquisas relacionadas aos determinantes sociais e saúde, o autor se concentra na análise das dificuldades para a produção e utilização de evidências científicas que fundamentem a definição, implantação e avaliação de políticas de combate às iniquidades em saúde através da ação sobre os determinantes sociais e saúde. Para concluir, apresenta algumas recomendações para a superação dessas dificuldades.

[Preliminary evaluation of Chile's First Citizen Consensus Conference]. / Evaluación preliminar de la Primera Conferencia de Consenso Ciudadano de Chile.

This piece provides an initial assessment of the First Citizen Consensus Conference, an event held in the city of Santiago, Chile, from 22-24 November 2003, on the subject of "The Management of My Medical Record." This conference was the first citizen consensus conference that has been held in Chile as well as the first such conference in Latin America. Consensus conferences were devised by the Danish Board of Technology in 1987 as a way to assess science and technology issues through discussions between experts and a panel of lay persons. At the end of a consensus conference, the lay persons express their opinions and recommendations in a consensus report that is directed at policymakers, decision-makers, and the public in general. The objective of a consensus conference is to bridge the gaps that routinely exist among the general public, experts, and elected officials. So far, the Danish Board of Technology has organized more than 20 of these conferences, using a methodology that has become established as a model. Taking into account the changes that have occurred in the relationship between science and society at large, the Pan American Health Organization has decided to support the holding of consensus conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean. The First Citizen Consensus Conference adapted the Danish methodology to conditions in Chile, and this piece assesses the modifications that were made. In addition, some 6 to 12 months after the conference, there will be an external evaluation of the outcomes and impact of the conference, especially in the communications media, public debate, decision-making, and perceptions of the persons who were involved. Despite the criticisms made in this piece and some shortcomings that are pointed out, the First Citizen Consensus Conference achieved all of its objectives and will serve as an excellent model for similar conferences in other countries of the Americas.

A saúde e seus determinantes sociais / Health and its social determinants

Este artigo busca analisar as relações entre saúde e seus determinantes sociais, apresentando inicialmente o conceito de determinantes sociais de saúde (DSS) e uma breve evolução histórica dos diversos paradigmas explicativos do processo saúde/doença no âmbito das sociedades, desde meados do século XIX. Em seguida são discutidos os principais avanços e desafios no estudo dos DSS, com ênfase em novos enfoques e marcos de referência explicativos das relações ente os diversos níveis de DSS e a situação de saúde. Com base nesses estudos e marcos explicativos, discute-se, em seguida, uma série de possibilidades de intervenções de políticas e programas voltados para o combate às iniqüidades de saúde geradas pelos DSS. Finalmente, são apresentados os objetivos, linhas de atuação e principais atividades da Comissão Nacional sobre Determinantes Sociais da Saúde, criada em março de 2006, com o objetivo de promover estudos sobre os DSS, recomendar políticas para a promoção da eqüidade em saúde e mobilizar setores da sociedade para o debate e posicionamento em torno dos DSS e do enfrentamento das iniqüidades de saúde

Science for health: notes on the organization of scientific activity for the development of health in Latin America and the Caribbean / Ciencia en pro de la salud: notas sobre la organización de la actividad científica para el desarrollo de la salud en América Latina y el Caribe

Durante los años 90 los paises de America Latina y el Caribe sufrieron produndas transformaciones en sus estructuras economicas, politicas y sociales, incluida la forma en la que han producido, diseminado y utilizado conociminetos cientificos que pudieran mejorar la salud de sus ciudadanos. Sin embargo, y a pesar de que la situacion ha mejorado mucho entre la decada de los 80 y la de los 90, son necesarios mas cambios para desarrollar plenamente el potencial de la actividad cientifica como promotora de la salud en America Latina y el Caribe. El gasto actual de America Latina en investigacion y desarrollo es relativamente bajo cuando se toma en cuenta su peso relativo en terminos de poblacion o producto interno bruto e, igual que ocurre con el numero de investigadores y el numero de publicaciones resultantes, esta concentrado en unos pocos paises. Con el alejamiento de la planificacion estatal centralizada, las universidades y otras instituciones deben implicarse mas en la definicion de las prioridades de la investigacion en salud. Una mejor diseminacion y utilizacion de los resultados de la investigacion podrian contribuir a la definicion e implementacion de politicas de salud eficaces y equitativas

Inequidades de acceso a la información e inequidades en salud / Inequities in access to information and inequities in health

This piece presents evidence that inequities in information are an important determinant of health inequities and that eliminating these inequities in access to information, especially by using new information and communication technologies (ICTs), could represent a significant advance in terms of guar anteeing the right to health for all. The piece reviews the most important international scientific research findings on the determinants of the health of populations, emphasizing the role of socioeconomic inequities and of deteriorating social capital as factors that worsen health conditions. It is noteworthy that Latin America has both socioeconomic inequities and major sectors of the population living in poverty. Among the fundamental strategies for overcoming the inequalities and the poverty are greater participation by the poor in civic life and the strengthening of social capital. The contribution that the new ICTs could make to these strategies is analyzed, and the Virtual Health Library (VHL) is discussed. Coordinated by the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences American Health Organization that takes advantage of the potential of ICTs to democratize information and knowledge and consequently promote equity in health. The "digital gap" is discussed as something that can produce inequity itself and also increase other inequities, including ones in health. Prospects are discussed for overcoming this gap, emphasizing the role that governments and international organizations should play in order to expand access to the global public good that information for social development is.

Pesquisa em saúde, política de saúde e eqüidade na América Latina / Health research, health policy and equity in Latin America

O autor analisa as relações entre pesquisa de saúde, políticas de saúde e eqüidade na América Latina. Descreve novas tendências no modo de produção do conhecimento, que permitem maior integração entre as necessidades sociais e a pesquisa, facilitando o vínculo entre esta e o processo de definição de políticas. Analisa as manifestações das novas tendências na América Latina e finaliza com a descrição de algumas iniciativas promovidas pela OPAS no sentido de aproveitar as oportunidades abertas pelas novas tendências para a melhoria das condições de saúde na região. Busca defender a tese de que a informação e o conhecimento são bens públicos essenciais e que as iniqüidades de acesso a esses bens são importantes determinantes das iniqüidades em saúde. Para que as políticas de saúde e as políticas de pesquisa em saúde se integrem e se consolidem como políticas públicas voltadas a atender ao interesse público e à promoção da eqüidade, é necessário o fortalecimento do processo democrático de definição das mesmas, multiplicando os atores envolvidos, os espaços e oportunidades de interação entre eles e instrumentando sua participação com o acesso eqüitativo a informações e conhecimentos científicos pertinentes que permitam a defesa fundamentada de seus interesses.

Evaluación preliminar de la Primera Conferencia de Consenso Ciudadano de Chile / Preliminary evaluation of Chile's First Citizen Consensus Conference

This piece provides an initial assessment of the First Citizen Consensus Conference, an event held in the city of Santiago, Chile, from 22­24 November 2003, on the subject of "The Management of My Medical Record." This conference was the first citizen consensus conference that has been held in Chile as well as the first such conference in Latin America. Consensus conferences were devised by the Danish Board of Technology in 1987 as a way to assess science and technology issues through discussions between experts and a panel of lay persons. At the end of a consensus conference, the lay persons express their opinions and recommendations in a consensus report that is directed at policymakers, decisionmakers, and the public in general. The objective of a consensus conference is to bridge the gaps that routinely exist among the general public, experts, and elected officials. So far, the Danish Board of Technology has organized more than 20 of these conferences, using a methodology that has become established as a model. Taking into account the changes that have occurred in the relationship between science and society at large, the Pan American Health Organization has decided to support the holding of consensus conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean. The First Citizen Consensus Conference adapted the Danish methodology to conditions in Chile, and this piece assesses the modifications that were made. In addition, some 6 to 12 months after the conference, there will be an external evaluation of the outcomes and impact of the conference, especially in the communications media, public debate, decision-making, and perceptions of the persons who were involved. Despite the criticisms made in this piece and some shortcomings that are pointed out, the First Citizen Consensus Conference achieved all of its objectives and will serve as an excellent model for similar conferences in other countries of the Americas