Estudio cualitativo sobre información, confianza y acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en adolescentes en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires / Qualitative study on information, trust in and access to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires

Introducción. En la adolescencia, se comienzan a tomar decisiones autónomas sobre la salud. En la vacunación intervienen dimensiones contextuales, grupales y relativas a cada vacuna. Se busca conocer el proceso de información, confianza y decisión de vacunarse contra COVID-19 en adolescentes usuarios de un centro de salud en Buenos Aires. Objetivos. Identificar ámbitos y canales a través de los cuales los adolescentes accedieron a información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires. Describir sus opiniones respecto a los distintos discursos sobre vacunación. Describir su participación en la vacunación contra COVID-19. Identificar barreras y facilitadores respecto del acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en esta población. Población y métodos. Investigación cualitativa. Se hicieron entrevistas semiestructuradas a adolescentes usuarios del efector. La muestra fue heterogénea; su tamaño se definió por saturación teórica. Se realizó un análisis temático de los datos. Resultados. Se realizaron 14 entrevistas. Los entrevistados recibieron información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 de sus familias, la televisión y las redes sociales. Todos recibieron tanto publicidad oficial como discursos reticentes a la vacunación. Analizaron la información recibida y formaron opinión autónoma. Su decisión sobre vacunarse no siempre fue respetada. La desconfianza, la baja percepción del riesgo, el temor a las inyecciones, las barreras administrativas y geográficas fueron motivos de no vacunación. Conclusiones. Se requieren estrategias de comunicación destinadas a adolescentes que promuevan su participación en el acceso a la vacunación.

Introduction. During adolescence, individuals start to make autonomous decisions about their health. Vaccination involves contextual, group, and vaccine-specific dimensions. We sought to know the information, trust, and decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents who attended a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. Objectives. To identify settings and channels through which adolescents accessed information about the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. To describe their opinions about the different statements on vaccination. To describe their participation in COVID-19 vaccination. To identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Population and methods. Qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with adolescents who attended this healthcare facility. The sample was heterogeneous; the sample size was estimated by theoretical saturation. A thematic analysis of data was done. Results. A total of 14 interviews were conducted. Interviewees obtained information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their families, TV, and social media. All received information from both official campaigns and anti-vaccine communications. They analyzed the information they received and formed their own opinion. Their decision about the vaccine was not always respected. Hesitancy, a low perception of risk, fear of needles, administrative and geographic barriers were reasons for not receiving the vaccine. Conclusions. Communication strategies targeted at adolescents are required that encourage their involvement in access to vaccination.

Desafios e perspectivas na judicialização da saúde na América Latina: considerações sobre o fenômeno no Brasil e na Colômbia / Challenges and perspectives in health judicialization: considerations on the Phenomenon in Brazil and Colombia / Desafíos y perspectivas en la judicialización en salud: consideraciones sobre el Fenómeno en Brasil y Colombia

Objetivo: O presente estudo visa a compreender como a judicialização da saúde se desenvolve como um fenômeno global, com ênfase particular nos contextos da América Latina, considerando Brasil e Colômbia. Metodologia: Adotou-se uma metodologia de revisão de literatura apoiada pela ferramenta Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A pesquisa foi conduzida com descritores específicos e as estratégias de busca foram realizadas nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS e BIREME. Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 2010 e 2024 que discutem a judicialização da saúde, considerando os idiomas português, espanhol ou inglês. Resultados: A busca resultou em 455 artigos e, destes, 18 artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. A análise dos artigos selecionados revela a necessidade de soluções equilibradas que respeitem os direitos individuais sem comprometer a acessibilidade e qualidade dos cuidados de saúde coletivos. São destacados os desafios impostos pela judicialização, como questões de equidade, sustentabilidade financeira dos sistemas de saúde e priorização de recursos. Conclusão: Conclui-se pela importância de uma abordagem multidisciplinar envolvendo ajustes legislativos, melhorias na gestão dos sistemas de saúde, educação para a saúde e a promoção de políticas públicas equitativas.

Objective: The present study aims to understand how the judicialization of health develops as a global phenomenon, with particular emphasis on Latin American contexts, considering Brazil, and Colombia. Methodology: A literature review methodology supported by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses tool was adopted. The research was conducted using specific descriptors, and search strategies were carried out in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS, and BIREME databases. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 that discuss the judicialization of health, considering Portuguese, Spanish, or English languages, were selected. Results: The search resulted in 455 articles, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of the selected articles reveals the need for balanced solutions that respect individual rights without compromising the accessibility and quality of collective healthcare. The challenges imposed by judicialization are highlighted, such as issues of equity, financial sustainability of health systems, and resource prioritization. Conclusion: It concludes by emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving legislative adjustments, improvements in health system management, health education, and the promotion of equitable public policies.

Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo comprender cómo se desarrolla la judicialización de la salud como un fenómeno global, con un énfasis particular en los contextos de América Latina, considerando Brasil y Colombia. Metodología: Se adoptó una metodología de revisión de literatura respaldada por la herramienta Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. La investigación se realizó utilizando descriptores específicos y las estrategias de búsqueda se llevaron a cabo en las bases de datos PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS y BIREME. Se seleccionaron artículos publicados entre 2010 y 2024 que discuten la judicialización de la salud, considerando los idiomas portugués, español o inglés. Resultados: La búsqueda resultó en 455 artículos, de los cuales 18 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. El análisis de los artículos seleccionados revela la necesidad de soluciones equilibradas que respeten los derechos individuales sin comprometer la accesibilidad y la calidad de la atención sanitaria colectiva. Se destacan los desafíos impuestos por la judicialización, como cuestiones de equidad, sostenibilidad financiera de los sistemas de salud y priorización de recursos. Conclusión: Se concluye sobre la importancia de un enfoque multidisciplinario que involucre ajustes legislativos, mejoras en la gestión de los sistemas de salud, educación para la salud y la promoción de políticas públicas equitativas.

Evaluation of drug litigation against the Campinas municipal health system from 2017 to 2021.

In Brazil, the judicialization of public health for access to medications has resulted in significant challenges to the management of public policies, especially at the municipal level. To evaluate the profile of drug litigations against the Campinas municipal health system from 2017 to 2021, this study analyzed the characteristics of litigants, medicine dispensation, and the timing of court decisions. A quantitative, analytical, and comparative cross-sectional study was conducted using data on the dispensation of 506 types of medications and 493 court cases. The analysis included sociodemographic, procedural, medical-sanitary, and pharmaceutical assistance management variables. The time of court decisions was assessed using the Kruskal‒Wallis test complemented by the Dunn test. The plaintiffs were predominantly adults, females, and self-declared students, and some cases involved nonresidents. Most of the lawsuits were represented by private lawyers, gratuitousness of justice and with decisions favorable to the plaintiff. However, only 43% of the patients obtained a preliminary injunction or early tutelage. The median time needed for a court decision from the date of case filing was 12 days until the granting of a preliminary injunction or early tutelage and 6.5 months until a judgment or dismissal without a decision on the merits. Approximately 32.4% of the medications dispensed by the judicial pharmacy already belonged to the list of the Brazil's Unified Health System in 2020; 46.3% were prescribed by their generic name; 75.5% had therapeutic equivalents, and 94.9% had marketing authorization from the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. Judicialization in Campinas is an alternative way of accessing medications, but it is time-consuming and benefits only a small portion of the population (0.068%). The characteristics of the plaintiffs and judicialized medicines highlight the need to review health policies to promote equitable and efficient access to essential treatments for the population.

Litigation in access to universal health coverage for children and adolescents in Brazil.

Background: Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) ensures universal, equitable, and excellent quality health coverage for all. The broad right to health, supported by the Constitution, has led to excessive litigation in the public sector. This has negatively impacted the financial stability of SUS, created inequality in children and adolescents' access to healthcare, and affected communication between the healthcare system and the judiciary. The enactment of Law Number 13.655 on 25 April 2018, proposed significant changes in judicial decisions. This study aimed to investigate decision-making changes in health litigation involving children and adolescents following the implementation of the new normative model. Methods: The study is cross-sectional, analyzing 3753 national judgment documents from all State Courts of Brazil, available on their respective websites from 2014 to 2020. It compares regional legal decisions before and after the promulgation of Law Number 13.655/2018. Data tabulation, statistical analysis, textual analysis, coding, and counting of significant units in the collected documents were performed. The results of data cross-referencing are presented in tables and diagrams. Results: The majority (96.86%) of legal claims (3635 cases) received partial or total provision of what was prescribed by the physician. The Judiciary predominantly handled these cases individually. The analysis indicates that the decisions made did not adhere to the norms established in 2018. Conclusion: Regional heterogeneity in health litigation was observed, and there was no significant variability in decisions during the studied period, even after the implementation of the new normative paradigm in 2018. Technical-scientific support was undervalued by the magistrates. Prioritizing litigants undermines equity in access to Universal Health Coverage for children and adolescents.

The application of bioethics as legal basis in judicial sentences concerning right to health in Brazil

The right to health is linked to life and human dignity. Among the instruments to make it effective, the phenomenon of health litigation has become prominent. In Brazil, courts are increasingly faced with the task of rendering verdicts concerning matters related to health. Nowadays, judges have to deal with issues about health policies, technology incorporations, drug supplies, human autonomy, genetics, and biotechnologies, among others. Lawsuit sentences are now to be built upon the resolution of ethical, legal and philosophical questions. Bioethics presents itself as an instrument and method to help solve legal cases involving the right to health. This paper intends to show that bioethics can be applied in verdicts of lawsuits regarding to right to health in Brazil. It highlights that bioethics can be considered a source of law due to its normative dimension, as well as a hermeneutic method. This essay also aims to show the role for bioethics to help interpret the law and solve hard cases within health law and the right to health. Lastly, it aims to justify the presence of bioethics as legal reasoning to be used by judges in the foundation of their verdicts in lawsuits involving the right to health.

El derecho a la salud está vinculado a la dignidad humana. Entre los instrumentos para hacerlo efectivo se ha destacado el fenómeno de la judicialización de la salud. En Brasil, los tribunales cada vez más deben decidir sobre asuntos relacionados con el derecho a la salud. Jueces deben tratar temas sobre políticas de salud, biotecnologías, medicamentos, autonomía humana, genética, entre otros. Las sentencias judiciales ahora deben resolver cuestiones éticas, legales y filosóficas. La bioética se presenta como un instrumento y un método para ayudar a resolver los casos legales del derecho a la salud. Este estudio pretende mostrar que la bioética puede ser aplicada en sentencias judiciales sobre casos de derecho a la salud en Brasil. Se destaca que la bioética puede ser considerada una fuente de derecho por su dimensión normativa, así como un método hermenéutico. Este ensayo también tiene como objetivo mostrar el papel de la bioética para ayudar a interpretar el derecho y resolver casos difíciles dentro del derecho a la salud. Por último, pretende justificar la presencia de la bioética como razonamiento jurídico a ser utilizado por los jueces en la fundamentación de sus veredictos en juicios que involucren el derecho a la salud.

O direito à saúde está vinculado à dignidade humana. Dentre os instrumentos para efetivá-la, o fenômeno da judicialização da saúde tem se destacado. No Brasil, os tribunais se deparam cada vez mais com a tarefa de julgar processos relacionadas ao direito à saúde. Atualmente, os juízes têm que lidar com questões sobre políticas de saúde, incorporação de tecnologias, fornecimento de medicamentos, autonomia, genética, biotecnologias, entre outros. As sentenças judiciais devem ser construídas com base também na resolução de questões éticas, legais e filosóficas. A bioética apresenta-se como instrumento e método para auxiliar na resolução de casos jurídicos envolvendo o direito à saúde. Este trabalho pretende mostrar que a bioética pode ser aplicada no julgamento de ações judiciais relativas ao direito à saúde no Brasil. Destaca que a bioética pode ser considerada fonte do direito por sua dimensão normativa, bem como método hermenêutico. Este ensaio também visa mostrar o papel da bioética para ajudar a interpretar a lei e resolver casos difíceis dentro do direito sanitário e do direito à saúde. Por fim, visa justificar a presença da bioética como fundamentação jurídica a ser utilizada pelos magistrados na fundamentação de suas sentenças em ações que envolvam o direito à saúde.

Aprimoramento da Estrutura Normativa: a consolidação de normas do SUS e as atualizações do Decreto nº 12.002, de 2024 / Enhancement of the Regulatory Framework: The Consolidation of SUS Standards and updates to Decree No. 12,002, of 2024 / Mejora de la Estructura Normativa: La Consolidación de Normas del SUS y actualizaciones al Decreto N° 12.002, de 2024

O processo de consolidação depende de uma boa redação e elaboração dos atos normativos e é consequência inerente do aprimoramento de normas. Nesse sentido, apresenta-se as inovações do Decreto n.º 12.002, de 2024, relativas à consolidação, que dizem respeito, sobretudo, à obrigatoriedade de manutenção da consolidação normativa por meio da realização de alteração da norma consolidada e de medidas periódicas de revisão dessas normas. Essa manutenção constante dos atos consolidados preserva a necessidade de melhoria normativa, essencial para garantir segurança jurídica, transparência no ambiente democrático e cumprir as determinações da Organização para a Cooperação e o Desenvolvimento Econômico voltadas para política regulatória. A saúde, como pioneira no processo de consolidação dos seus atos normativos infralegais, tem a vanguarda no aprimoramento de normas e deve ser exemplo para outros órgãos.

The process of consolidation depends on good drafting and preparation of normative acts and is an inherent consequence of the improvement of regulations. In this regard, the innovations of Decree No. 12,002 of 2024 concerning Consolidation are presented, which mainly pertain to the mandatory maintenance of normative consolidation through amendments to the consolidated norms and periodic reviews of these norms. This constant maintenance of consolidated acts preserves the need for regulatory improvement, which is essential to ensure legal certainty, transparency in the democratic environment, and compliance with OECD regulatory policy directives. The health sector, as a pioneer in the consolidation of its infralegal normative acts, leads in the improvement of regulations and should serve as an example for other bodies.

El proceso de consolidación depende de una buena redacción y elaboración de los actos normativos y es una consecuencia inherente de la mejora de las normas. En este sentido, se presentan las innovaciones del Decreto nº 12.002 de 2024 relativas a la Consolidación, que se refieren principalmente a la obligatoriedad de mantener la consolidación normativa mediante la realización de modificaciones a la norma consolidada y de medidas periódicas de revisión de estas normas. Este mantenimiento constante de los actos consolidados preserva la necesidad de mejora normativa, esencial para garantizar seguridad jurídica, transparencia en el ambiente democrático y cumplir con las determinaciones de la OCDE dirigidas a la política regulatoria. La salud, como pionera en el proceso de consolidación de sus actos normativos infralegales, está a la vanguardia en la mejora de las normas y debe ser un ejemplo para otros órganos.

Health Care System Overstretch and In-Hospital Mortality of Intubated Patients With COVID-19 in Greece From September 2020 to April 2022: Updated Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Our previous analysis showed how in-hospital mortality of intubated patients with COVID-19 in Greece is adversely affected by patient load and regional disparities. Objective: We aimed to update this analysis to include the large Delta and Omicron waves that affected Greece during 2021-2022, while also considering the effect of vaccination on in-hospital mortality. Methods: Anonymized surveillance data were analyzed from all patients with COVID-19 in Greece intubated between September 1, 2020, and April 4, 2022, and followed up until May 17, 2022. Time-split Poisson regression was used to estimate the hazard of dying as a function of fixed and time-varying covariates: the daily total count of intubated patients with COVID-19 in Greece, age, sex, COVID-19 vaccination status, region of the hospital (Attica, Thessaloniki, or rest of Greece), being in an intensive care unit, and an indicator for the period from September 1, 2021. Results: A total of 14,011 intubated patients with COVID-19 were analyzed, of whom 10,466 (74.7%) died. Mortality was significantly higher with a load of 400-499 intubated patients, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.22 (95% CI 1.09-1.38), rising progressively up to 1.48 (95% CI 1.31-1.69) for a load of ≥800 patients. Hospitalization away from the Attica region was also independently associated with increased mortality (Thessaloniki: HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13-1.32; rest of Greece: HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.54-1.75), as was hospitalization after September 1, 2021 (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.36). COVID-19 vaccination did not affect the mortality of these already severely ill patients, the majority of whom (11,944/14,011, 85.2%) were unvaccinated. Conclusions: Our results confirm that in-hospital mortality of severely ill patients with COVID-19 is adversely affected by high patient load and regional disparities, and point to a further significant deterioration after September 1, 2021, especially away from Attica and Thessaloniki. This highlights the need for urgent strengthening of health care services in Greece, ensuring equitable and high-quality care for all.

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN FACE OF COVID-19: THE LEGACY OF DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO HEALTH IN PRISONS / MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS FRENTE AO COVID-19: O LEGADO DA DEFESA DO DIREITO À SAÚDE NAS PRISÕES

The objective was to characterize the actions of social movements in the face of Covid-19 when defending the right to health of people deprived of liberty (PDL) in Brazil. In addition to the historical record, we sought to identify repercussions that could serve as a legacy for future strategies. A qualitative analysis was carried out of documents released by social organizations (Pastoral Carcerária, Justiça Global, Mecanismo de Combate à Tortura and ABRASCO); Justice bodies (National Council of Justice, Public Defender's Offices, Public Prosecutor's Office, National Penitentiary Department); scientific entities and international organizations (WHO, FIOCRUZ, UNIFESP, among others), in the period from 03/2020 to 01/2021. A total of 77 documents were categorized relating to: 1) Inclusion of PPL as priorities for vaccination and need for extrication measures; 2) Rejection of the use of containers to house infected PPL or risk groups; 3) Suspension and postponed return of visits, with the possibility of sending supplements; 4) Termination of teams to accompany PDL with mental disorders; 5) Reestablishment of the obligation to send PDL bodies to the Legal Medical Institute for identification and issuance of a Death Certificate. The analysis portrayed network action by social movements to guarantee PDLs' right to health. The demonstrations achieved considerable success in blocking proposals to set back human rights.

Objetivou-se caracterizar a atuação dos movimentos sociais frente ao Covid-19 na defesa do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL) no Brasil. Além do registro histórico, buscou-se identificar repercussões que possam servir de legado para estratégias futuras. Foi realizada análise qualitativa de documentos divulgados por organizações sociais (Pastoral Carcerária, Justiça Global, Mecanismo de Combate à Tortura e ABRASCO); órgãos da Justiça (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, Defensorias Públicas, Ministério Público, Departamento Penitenciário Nacional); entidades científicas e organismos internacionais (OMS, Fiocruz, UNIFESP, dentre outras), no período de 03/2020 a 01/2021. Foram categorizados 77 documentos relativos a: 1) Inclusão das PPL como prioritárias para vacinação e necessidade de medidas desencarceradoras; 2) Rejeição do uso de containers para abrigar PPL infectadas ou grupos de risco; 3) Suspensão e retorno das visitas postergado, com possibilidade do envio de suplementos; 4) Extinção das equipes para acompanhamento de PPL com transtorno mental; 5) Restabelecimento da obrigação do envio ao Instituto Médico Legal de corpos de PPL para identificação e emissão de Declaração do Óbito. A análise evidenciou atuação em rede dos movimentos sociais para garantir o direito à saúde das PPL. As manifestações lograram êxito considerável ao conseguirem bloquear propostas de retrocesso aos direitos humanos.

Qualitative study on information, trust in and access to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. / Estudio cualitativo sobre información, confianza y acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en adolescentes en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires.

Introduction. During adolescence, individuals start to make autonomous decisions about their health. Vaccination involves contextual, group, and vaccine-specific dimensions. We sought to know the information, trust, and decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents who attended a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. Objectives. To identify settings and channels through which adolescents accessed information about the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. To describe their opinions about the different statements on vaccination. To describe their participation in COVID-19 vaccination. To identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Population and methods. Qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with adolescents who attended this healthcare facility. The sample was heterogeneous; the sample size was estimated by theoretical saturation. A thematic analysis of data was done. Results. A total of 14 interviews were conducted. Interviewees obtained information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their families, TV, and social media. All received information from both official campaigns and anti-vaccine communications. They analyzed the information they received and formed their own opinion. Their decision about the vaccine was not always respected. Hesitancy, a low perception of risk, fear of needles, administrative and geographic barriers were reasons for not receiving the vaccine. Conclusions. Communication strategies targeted at adolescents are required that encourage their involvement in access to vaccination.

Introducción. En la adolescencia, se comienzan a tomar decisiones autónomas sobre la salud. En la vacunación intervienen dimensiones contextuales, grupales y relativas a cada vacuna. Se busca conocer el proceso de información, confianza y decisión de vacunarse contra COVID-19 en adolescentes usuarios de un centro de salud en Buenos Aires. Objetivos. Identificar ámbitos y canales a través de los cuales los adolescentes accedieron a información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires. Describir sus opiniones respecto a los distintos discursos sobre vacunación. Describir su participación en la vacunación contra COVID-19. Identificar barreras y facilitadores respecto del acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en esta población. Población y métodos. Investigación cualitativa. Se hicieron entrevistas semiestructuradas a adolescentes usuarios del efector. La muestra fue heterogénea; su tamaño se definió por saturación teórica. Se realizó un análisis temático de los datos. Resultados. Se realizaron 14 entrevistas. Los entrevistados recibieron información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 de sus familias, la televisión y las redes sociales. Todos recibieron tanto publicidad oficial como discursos reticentes a la vacunación. Analizaron la información recibida y formaron opinión autónoma. Su decisión sobre vacunarse no siempre fue respetada. La desconfianza, la baja percepción del riesgo, el temor a las inyecciones, las barreras administrativas y geográficas fueron motivos de no vacunación. Conclusiones. Se requieren estrategias de comunicación destinadas a adolescentes que promuevan su participación en el acceso a la vacunación.

Refugees' right to health: A case study of Poland's disparate migration policies.

Poland has faced two waves of migration: the first was of irregular asylum seekers, which led to the humanitarian crisis on the eastern EU-Belarusian border since 2021; the second was of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. Although there are noticeable differences between these situations, and between the different reactions of the Polish authorities, it is possible to juxtapose them in terms of the right to health. The normative content of refugee and human rights law is the starting point for reconstructing the meaning of the terms 'refugee' and 'right to health'. A refugee is a person who needs international protection because of a well-founded fear of harm, which is not limited to persecution as defined by the Refugee Convention but also includes situations of international and non-international armed conflict. The right to health, which includes, inter alia, entitlements to a 'system of health protection' and 'underlying determinations of health', is reconstructed on the basis of human rights law and refugee and migration law. There are no legal and moral grounds to grant the right to health differentially to different groups of refugees. Nondiscriminatory health policy requires that refugees have the same access to health care as nationals, although their specific health needs resulting from past experiences and refugee situation require special treatment, that is, an appropriate refugee health policy. The broad understanding of the underlying determinants of health demonstrates the importance of overall migration policy for refugees' health, which can jeopardise the fragile good of refugee health.

Facilitating Safe Access to Health Care through Legislative Reform - The Australian Experience.

The realisation of the right to health is vulnerable to the interventions of strangers, acting on the belief that certain health care should not be permissible under the law or accessible in practice. In Australia, the key arena for such interventions has been abortion services. Drawing on empirical research undertaken by the authors, this article examines the impact of these interventions and the effectiveness of "safe access zone" laws that now operate nationwide to constrain them. After examining the unsuccessful constitutional challenge to these laws in the High Court of Australia, it considers whether safe access zones may have utility in other health care contexts.

Equitable resource allocation in health emergencies: addressing racial disparities and ethical dilemmas.

This paper explores resource allocation complexities during health emergencies, focusing on pervasive racial disparities, notably affecting black communities. It aims to investigate alternatives to the Most Lives Saved approach, particularly its potential to exacerbate disparities. To analyse resource allocation strategies, the essay reviews the Dual-Principled System proposed by Bruce and Tallman (B+T) in 2021. B+T's proposal critiques previous methods like the Area Deprivation Index and First Come First Serve while seeking to balance equity and utility by adjusting triage scores based on diseases displaying racial disparities. However, the study identifies inherent challenges in subjectivity, complexity and fairness, necessitating a careful examination and potential innovative solutions. The examination of the Dual-Principled System uncovers challenges, leading to the identification of three main issues and potential solutions. Furthermore, to address subjectivity concerns, it is necessary to adopt objective disease selection criteria through data analysis. Moreover, proposed solutions for complexity include real-time data updates, adaptability and regional considerations. Fairness concerns can be mitigated through educational campaigns and a lottery system integrated with triage score adjustments. The study emphasises nuanced resource allocation with objective disease selection, adaptable strategies and educational initiatives, including a lottery system, aligning with fairness, equity and practicality. As healthcare evolves, resource allocation must align with justice, fostering inclusivity and responsiveness for all.

Borders and liminality in the right to health of migrants in transit: The case of Colchane in Chile and Necoclí in Colombia.

The absence of the right to health of migrants in transit has evolved into a significant global health concern, particularly in the border regions thus, this study aims to improve knowledge in this area by exploring the effects of the spatio-temporal liminal characteristics at borders in the achievement of the right to health of migrants in transit moving across two of the most transited and dangerous borders in Latin America: Colchane (Chile-Bolivia) and the Darién Gap (Colombia-Panamá). Through a qualitative descriptive multi-case study, we implemented 50 semi-structured interviews (n = 30 in Chile and n = 20 in the Darién/Necoclí) involving national, regional, and local stakeholders. The findings highlight that the fulfilment of the right to health of migrants in transit is hindered by liminal dynamics at the borders. These dynamics include closure of borders, (in)securities, uncertainty and waiting, lack of economic resources, lack of protection to all, liminal politics, and humanitarian interventions. These findings surface how the borders' liminality exacerbates the segregation of migrants in transit by placing them in a temporospatial limbo that undermines their right to health. Our study concludes that not just the politics but also the everyday practices, relationships and social infrastructure at borders impedes the enjoyment of the right to health of distressed migrants in transit. The short-term humanitarian response; illicit dynamics at borders; migratory regulations; and border and cross-border political structures are some of the most significant determinants of health at these borderlands.

Enforcing the right to health in private health systems through Judicialization what can we learn from the scoping review of the cross-national perspective?

BACKGROUND: Private sector acting in healthcare does not remove the public nature of a health system, nor mitigate the right to health as a human right. METHODS: This scoping review aims to answer the question: what factors influence the pattern of lawsuits seeking to enforce the right to health in private healthcare systems? The search was carried out in Pubmed, SciELO, DOAJ and Scopus. RESULTS: Out of 464 articles found, after inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were included. The survey covered 36 different countries and four main factors were identified. The socioeconomic context, the health system model, the incorporation of the right to health in legislation, and the model of regulation of private health. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding these patterns help understanding the difficulties of implementing and guaranteeing universal health. Health systems must be based on responsibility, solidarity, equity, and distributive justice, since the sum of these values generates mutualism. Judicial decision-making regarding to health access must be reasoned on equity and distributive justice, scientific evidence and ethical factors. Even private health systems must be funded in a well-defined ethical platform and social moral valuation.

A Right to Health-Based Approach to Dental Caries: Toward a Comprehensive Control Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Health is a matter of human rights, and dental caries is the most common noncommunicable disease globally. Consequently, dental caries is a matter of human rights and its control, particularly prevention, must be a priority. Although largely preventable, this is too often neglected, both in the literature of human rights and health law, and in dental research. The right to oral health has recently been acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO), but it is insufficiently clear what this right entails. SUMMARY: This article introduces a right to health-based narrative in the context of dental caries. The right to health is stipulated in human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). States that are parties to these treaties, which are virtually all States globally, are mandated to ensure the enjoyment of individuals' right to the highest attainable standard of health, including oral health. KEY MESSAGES: Dental caries is a matter of human rights. States have binding obligations to address dental caries: they require the regulation of the healthcare system, i.e., the traditional focus on operative care, but also put the regulation of other risk factors on an equal footing, such as the regulation of the living environment and access to fluoride. A right to health-based approach to dental caries thus offers a comprehensive approach to dental caries control, particularly prevention.

Navigating equity in global access to genome therapy expanding access to potentially transformative therapies and benefiting those in need requires global policy changes.

In December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency granted the first regulatory approval for genome therapy for sickle cell disease. This approval brings hope to those suffering from this debilitating genetic disease. However, several barriers may hinder global patient access, including high treatment costs, obtaining informed consent for minors, inadequate public health infrastructure, and insufficient regulatory oversight. These barriers reflect the structural inequalities inherent in global health governance, where patient access often depends on social and institutional arrangements. This article addresses concerns around informed consent, treatment costs, and patient access, and proposes corresponding policy reforms. We argue that these discussions should be framed within a broader global context that considers social and institutional structures, global research priorities, and a commitment to health equity.

Cost-Related Non-Adherence to Prescribed Medicines: What Are Physicians' Moral Duties?

As the price of pharmaceuticals and biologicals rises so does the number of patients who cannot afford them. In this article, we argue that physicians have a moral duty to help patients access affordable medicines. We offer three grounds to support our argument: (i) the aim of prescribing is to improve health and well-being which can only be realized with secure access to treatment; (ii) there is no morally significant difference between medicines being unavailable and medicines being unaffordable, so the steps physicians are willing to take in the first case should extend to the second; and (iii) as the primary stakeholder with a duty to put the individual patient's interests first, the medical professional has a duty to address cost-barriers to patient care. In articulating this duty, we take account of important epistemic and control conditions that must be met for the attribution of this duty to be justified.

Direitos reprodutivos das mulheres submetidas à cesárea em Moçambique: uma revisão integrativa / Drets reproductius de les dones sotmeses a cesària a Moçambic: una revisió integradora / Derechos reproductivos de las mujeres sometidas a cesárea en Mozambique: una revisión integradora / Reproductive rights of women undergoing cesarean section in Mozambique: an integrative review

O presente artigo está voltado às questões referentes aos direitos reprodutivos e ao parto cesárea das mulheres em Moçambique. O objetivo foi analisar as ações/estratégias governamentais e não governamentais que visem a efetivação dos direitos reprodutivos das mulheres submetidas ao parto cesárea em Moçambique, discutindo sobre as fragilidades que configuram a violação desses direitos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados Elsevier, GALE, PubMed, Web of Science e DOAJ a partir da combinação dos descritores cesarean section OR reproductive rights AND Mozambique. Depois de aplicadas as estratégias de inclusão e exclusão, resultaram 13 artigos elegíveis para elaboração do presente estudo. Os resultados apontam para a falta de aplicabilidade das ações governamentais que, apesar de existirem, ainda são ineficazes para que as mulheres de Moçambique tenham seus direitos reprodutivos garantidos e assistidos.(AU)

Aquest article es centra en qüestions relacionades amb els drets reproductius i el part per cesària de les dones a Moçambic. L'objectiu era analitzar les accions/estratègies tant governamentalscom no governamentals que busquen l'efectivitat dels drets reproductius de les dones sotmeses a cesària a Moçambic, discutint les debilitats que constitueixen la violació d'aquests drets. Per fer-ho, es va realitzar una revisió integradora de la literatura a les bases de dades Elsevier, GALE, PubMed, Web of Science i DOAJ a partir de la combinació dels descriptors cesarean section OR reproductive rights AND Mozambique. Després d'aplicar les estratègies d'inclusió i exclusió, es van obtenir 13 articles elegibles per a l'elaboració del present estudi. Els resultats assenyalen la manca d'aplicabilitat de les accions governamentals que, malgrat existir, encara són ineficaços per garantir i atendre els drets reproductius de les dones a Moçambic.(AU)

El presente artículo se centra en cuestiones relacionadas con los derechos reproductivos y el parto por cesárea de las mujeres en Mozambique. El objetivo fue analizar las acciones/estrategias gubernamentales y no gubernamentales que buscan la efectividad de los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres sometidas a cesárea en Mozambique, discutiendo las debilidades que constituyen la violación de estos derechos. Para ello, se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura en las bases de datos Elsevier, GALE, PubMed, Web of Science y DOAJ a partir de la combinación de los descriptores cesarean section OR reproductive rights AND Mozambique. Después de aplicar las estrategias de inclusión y exclusión, se obtuvieron 13 artículos elegibles para la elaboración del presente estudio. Los resultados señalan la falta de aplicabilidad de las acciones gubernamentales que, a pesar de existir, aún son ineficaces para garantizary atender los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres en Mozambique.(AU)

This article addresses issues related to reproductive rights and cesarean delivery for women in Mozambique. The objective was to analyze governmental and non-governmental actions / strategies aimed at the realization of the reproductive rights of women submitted to cesarean delivery in Mozambique, discussing the weaknesses that constitute the violation of these rights. To this end, an integrative literature review was carried out in the Elsevier, GALE, PubMed, Web of Science and DOAJ databases based on the combination of the descriptors cesarean section OR reproductive rights AND Mozambique. After applying the inclusion and exclusion strategies, 14 articles were eligible for the preparation of this study. The results point to the lack of applicability of government actions that, although they exist, are still ineffective for women in Mozambique to have their reproductive rights fully guaranteed and assisted.(AU)

La débil garantía constitucional del derecho a la protección de la salud en España: una propuesta de reforma / A frágil garantia constitucional do direito à proteção da saúde na Espanha: uma proposta de reforma / The weak constitutional guarantee of the right to health protection in Spain: a reform proposal

Objetivo: discutir el derecho a la protección de la salud en España y su no inclusión en la categoría de derecho fundamental. Metodología: Revisión crítica de documentos normativos españoles e internacionales - Constitución, leyes y tratados internacionales - desde la perspectiva del análisis de la salud como un derecho fundamental. Resultados: La garantía y efectividad del derecho a la salud en España no son satisfactorias, ya que a partir de la regulación legislativa y, a menudo, administrativa del tema, surgen reclamaciones jurídicas bien definidas y exigibles ante los órganos jurisdiccionales, como derechos subjetivos individuales. Esto faculta al legislador introducir retrocesos significativos en la determinación del alcance del derecho a la salud. Conclusión: Se impone una reforma constitucional que signifique la reconfiguración de un derecho y su inclusión en la lista de aquellos considerados fundamentales en la Sección 1ª del Capítulo II del Título I de la Constitución, a fin de dotarlo de un contenido esencial, vinculante para el legislador y para que él mismo sea beneficiario de una garantía jurisdiccional directa y máxima, tanto ordinaria como extraordinaria ante el Tribunal Constitucional.

Objetivo: discutir o direito à proteção da saúde na Espanha e o seu não enquadramento na categoria de direito fundamental. Metodologia: revisão crítica de documentos normativos espanhóis e internacionais ­ Constituição, Leis e tratados internacionais na perspectiva de análise da saúde como um direito fundamental. Resultados: a garantia e efetividade do direito à saúde na Espanha não são satisfatórios visto que a partir da regulamentação legislativa e, muitas vezes, administrativa do tema, surgem reivindicações jurídicas bem definidas e exigíveis perante os órgãos judiciais, como direitos subjetivos individuais. Isso permite ao legislador introduzir retrocessos significativos na determinação do alcance do direito à saúde. Conclusão: Impõe-se uma reforma constitucional que signifique a reconfiguração de um direito e sua inclusão na lista daqueles considerados fundamentais na Seção 1ª do Capítulo II do Título I da Constituição, a fim de dotá-lo de um conteúdo essencial, vinculativo para o legislador e para que ele mesmo seja beneficiário de uma garantia jurisdicional direta e máxima, tanto ordinária quanto extraordinária perante o Tribunal Constitucional.

Objective: to discuss the right to health protection in Spain and its non-inclusion in the category of fundamental rights. Methodology: Critical review of Spanish and international normative documents - Constitution, laws, and international treaties - from the perspective of analyzing health as a fundamental right. Results: The guarantee and effectiveness of the right to health in Spain are not satisfactory, as from the legislative and often administrative regulation of the topic, well-defined and enforceable legal claims arise before judicial bodies, as individual subjective rights. This allows the legislator to introduce significant setbacks in determining the scope of the right to health. Conclusion: A constitutional reform is necessary to reconfigure a right and include it in the list of those considered fundamental in Section 1 of Chapter II of Title I of the Constitution, in order to endow it with an essential content, binding for the legislator, and so that it itself benefits from direct and maximum jurisdictional guarantee, both ordinary and extraordinary, before the Constitutional Court.

Desafios e possibilidades da jurimetria na judicialização em saúde: uma investigação em Minas Gerais do período 2014 a 2020 / Challenges and possibilities of jurimetry in health judicialization: an investigation in Minas Gerais state from 2014 2020 / Desafíos y posibilidades de la jurimetría en la judicialización de la salud: una investigación en Minas Gerais de 2014 a 2020

Objetivo: analisar os processos de saúde, de medicamentos e de medicamentos antineoplásicos em Minas Gerais, em 2014 a 2020, a partir da comparação de diferentes bases de dados. Metodologia: foram utilizadas técnicas de pareamento de bases de dados entre os processos existentes no Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de Minas Gerais e os processos recebidos pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Minas Gerais, descreveram-se as dificuldades encontradas na identificação e quantificação desses processos, e os resultados encontrados foram comparados com informações provenientes de outras fontes. Resultados: nas bases do Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais foram identificados 564.763 processos de saúde. Houve um aumento significativo do número de processos até 2017 e uma estabilização, em patamares altos, a partir de 2017. Ao comparar com os resultados obtidos pelo Instituto Superior de Ensino e Pesquisa e pelo Laboratório de Inovação, Inteligência e Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, houve uma importante divergência nos números de processos. Tomando como exemplo a judicialização de saúde contra o estado de Minas Gerais, não foi possível encontrar de forma direta todos os processos recebidos pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Minas Gerais nas diversas bases fornecidas pelo Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais, tendo sido necessária uma integração entre as diferentes bases de dados e uma busca adicional para identificar todos os processos. Conclusão: recomendam-se a padronização e organização dos dados dos processos judiciais em saúde, já na entrada de dados, para facilitar a realização de estudos quantitativos sobre a judicialização da saúde.

Objective: to analyze the health, drug, and antineoplastic drug lawsuits in Minas Gerais, in 2014 to 2020, from the comparison of different databases. Methodology: database pairing techniques were used to link lawsuits from the Minas Gerais State Court of Justice with the processes received by the Minas Gerais Health State Department, the difficulties encountered in identifying and quantifying these processes were described, and the results found were compared with information from other sources. Results: in the Minas Gerais State Court of Justice databases, 564,763 health lawsuits were identified in the studied period. There was a significant increase in the number of processes until 2017 and a stabilization, at high levels, from 2017 onwards. In comparison with the results obtained by the Institute of Higher Education and Research and the Laboratory of Innovation, Intelligence and Sustainable Development Goals there was a great divergence in the number of processes found. Conclusion: taking the health judicialization against Minas Gerais state as an example, it was not possible to directly find all the processes received by Minas Gerais Health State Department in the various databases provided by the Minas Gerais State Court of Justice, requiring integration between the different databases and an additional search to identify all processes.

Objetivo: analizar los juicios de salud, drogas y medicamentos antineoplásicos en Minas Gerais, en 2014 a 2020, a partir de la comparación de diferentes bases de datos. Metodología: técnicas de emparejamiento de bases de datos fueron utilizadas para vincular los juicios existentes en el Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Minas Gerais con los procesos recibidos por la Secretaría de Estado de Salud de Minas Gerais, las dificultades encontradas en la identificación y cuantificación de esos procesos fueron descritas, y los resultados encontrados fueron comparados con informaciones de otras fuentes. Resultados: en las bases del Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Minas Gerais se identificaron 564.763 procesos de salud. Hubo un aumento significativo en el número de procesos hasta 2017 y una estabilización, en niveles altos, a partir de 2017. Sin embargo, al comparar con los resultados obtenidos por el Instituto Superior de Educación e Investigación y por el Laboratorio de Innovación, Inteligencia y Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible hubo una divergencia importante en el número de procesos. Conclusión: tomando como ejemplo la judicialización de la salud contra el estado de Minas Gerais, no era posible encontrar directamente todos los procesos recibidos por la Secretaría de Estado de Salud de Minas Gerais en las diversas bases de datos proporcionadas por el Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Minas Gerais, lo que requería una integración entre las diferentes bases de datos y una búsqueda adicional a identificar todos los procesos.