The Right to healthcare and fiscal austerity: the Brazilian case from an international perspective

Assessment of the COVID-19 impact on the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) financing: an analysis of the financing dynamics of 2020 and 2021

BACKGROUND

After the establishment of the public health emergency of international concern in 2020, health systems worldwide and in Brazil observed the need to apply more extraordinary logistical efforts and possibly resources to combat the imminent pandemic.

METHODS

Using the historical series of public expenditures of the National Health Fund (FNS), 2015 to 2021, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a seasonal ARIMAX model, we sought to assess how the increase in the new virus infections affected the systematic financing of the SUS in Brazil.

RESULTS

There were signs of seasonality and an increasing trend in the expenditure variable, which in practical terms, only indicated that the resource contributions followed an increasing trajectory already underway before the advent of the pandemic. The 1% increase in COVID-19 cases, with a one-month lag, contributes to the 0.062% increase in the variation in FNS expenditures but a decrease of 0.058% with a two-month lag.

CONCLUSION

The tests showed no evidence to confirm a positive shift on FNS spending growth trajectory due to the increase of COVID-19 cases, only observing a significant increase one month after the occurrence of COVID cases, probably due to their worsening after this period, which was followed by a similar and comparable decrease in percentage of growth in the following month.

Mental health in Brazil in times of neoliberalism and pandemic: retrogression and resistance

This study analyzes aspects of mental health in Brazil as an active political field involving a range of social segments and actors from opposing fields in a context of advancing neoliberalism and pandemic. The analysis begins in 2016, when fiscal austerity entered the national agenda, and proceeds through the pandemic until the present day, when both phenomena continue to prevail, even if the intensity of the pandemic is now reduced. In the ambit of mental health, the national policy based on the principles of the psychiatric reform has suffered severe setbacks. Nonetheless, despite state-sponsored efforts to discourage social control and public participation, important sectors of society are engaged in active resistance.

Risk of death following chikungunya virus disease in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort, 2015-18: a matched cohort study and self-controlled case series

BACKGROUND

Chikungunya virus outbreaks have been associated with excess deaths at the ecological level. Previous studies have assessed the risk factors for severe versus mild chikungunya virus disease. However, the risk of death following chikungunya virus disease compared with the risk of death in individuals without the disease remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate the risk of death in the 2 years following chikungunya virus disease.

METHODS

We used a population-based cohort study and a self-controlled case series to estimate mortality risks associated with chikungunya virus disease between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2018, in Brazil. The dataset was created by linking national databases for social programmes, notifiable diseases, and mortality. For the matched cohort design, individuals with chikungunya virus disease recorded between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2018, were considered as exposed and those who were arbovirus disease-free and alive during the study period were considered as unexposed. For the self-controlled case series, we included all deaths from individuals with a chikungunya virus disease record, and each individual acted as their own control according to different study periods relative to the date of disease. The primary outcome was all-cause natural mortality up to 728 days after onset of chikungunya virus disease symptoms, and secondary outcomes were cause-specific deaths, including ischaemic heart diseases, diabetes, and cerebrovascular diseases.

FINDINGS

In the matched cohort study, we included 143 787 individuals with chikungunya virus disease who were matched, at the day of symptom onset, to unexposed individuals using sociodemographic factors. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of death within 7 days of chikungunya symptom onset was 8·40 (95% CI 4·83-20·09) as compared with the unexposed group and decreased to 2·26 (1·50-3·77) at 57-84 days and 1·05 (0·82-1·35) at 85-168 days, with IRR close to 1 and wide CI in the subsequent periods. For the secondary outcomes, the IRR of deaths within 28 days after disease onset were: 1·80 (0·58-7·00) for cerebrovascular diseases, 3·75 (1·33-17·00) for diabetes, and 3·67 (1·25-14·00) for ischaemic heart disease, and there was no evidence of increased risk in the subsequent periods. For the self-controlled case series study, 1933 individuals died after having had chikungunya virus disease and were included in the analysis. The IRR of all-cause natural death within 7 days of symptom onset of chikungunya virus disease was 8·75 (7·18-10·66) and decreased to 1·59 (1·26-2·00) at 57-84 days and 1·09 (0·92-1·29) at 85-168 days. For the secondary outcomes, the IRRs of deaths within 28 days after disease onset were: 2·73 (1·50-4·96) for cerebrovascular diseases, 8·43 (5·00-14·21) for diabetes, and 2·38 (1·33-4·26) for ischaemic heart disease, and there was no evidence of increased risk at 85-168 days.

INTERPRETATION

Chikungunya virus disease is associated with an increased risk of death for up to 84 days after symptom onset, including deaths from cerebrovascular diseases, ischaemic heart diseases, and diabetes. This study highlights the need for equitable access to approved vaccines and effective anti-chikungunya virus therapeutics and reinforces the importance of robust vector-control efforts to reduce viral transmission.

FUNDING

Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia, Wellcome Trust, and UK Medical Research Council.

TRANSLATION

For the Portuguese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Infant mortality in the municipality of São Paulo: trend and social inequality (2006-2019)

OBJECTIVE

Considering the published evidence on the impact of recent economic crises and the implementation of fiscal austerity policies in Brazil on various health indicators, this study aims to analyze how the trend and socio-spatial inequality of infant mortality behaved in the municipality of São Paulo from 2006 to 2019.

METHODS

This is an ecological study with a temporal trend analysis that was developed in municipality of São Paulo, using three residence area strata differentiated according to their social vulnerability following the 2010 São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index. Infant mortality rate, as well as neonatal, and post-neonatal mortality rates, were calculated for each social vulnerability stratum, each year in the period, and for the first and last three triennia. Temporal trends were analyzed by the Prais-Winsten regression model and inequality magnitude, by rate ratios.

RESULTS

We found a decline in infant mortality rate and its components from 2006 to 2015, greater in the stratum with low social vulnerability and in the post-neonatal period when compared to the neonatal one. This decline ended in 2015, stagnating in the next period (2016-2019). Our analysis of infant mortality inequality across social vulnerability stratum showed a significant increase from the initial to the final triennia in the analyzed period; rate ratios increased from 1.36 to 1.48 in the high stratum (compared to the low social vulnerability stratum), and from 1.19 to 1.32 between the medium and low social vulnerability strata.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed stagnation of infant mortality rate decline in 2015 and the increase in socio-spatial inequality point to the urgent need to reformulate current public policies to reverse this situation and reduce inequalities in the risk of infant death.

Judicialization and right to health in Brazil: a trajectory of matches and mismatches

This study discusses the impacts of judicialization on the guarantee of the right to health in Brazil and the need to reassess the role of the Judicial system in its protection. We used evidence from the technical-scientific literature and information on the budgetary-financial execution and the acquisition of medicines from the Brazilian Ministry of Health to substantiate the arguments. In 2019, lawsuits consumed 25.2% of the resources of the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Care, 21% for 10 medicines. Although the Judicial promotes this right when the State fails to ensure access to medicines incorporated into the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), this system compromises access to medicines of the population with the determinations of acquisition of non-incorporated products. The Judicial needs to guide its control over compliance with constitutional and legal precepts in public policies, especially in fiscal policy, given its impact on the financing of the SUS.

Economic burden of depression in Brazil: a cost-of-illness study based on productivity losses and healthcare costs between 2010 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Depression is disabling disorder and cause functional impairments, and high costs for the health and social security system.

OBJECTIVE

The direct and indirect costs of depression from the societal perspective were estimated for the period 2010 to 2018.

METHODS

This cost-of-illness study in adults is based on prevalence, with a top-down approach, from the societal perspective. Direct (hospital and outpatient) and indirect (absenteeism) costs were included. Data were extracted from the Hospital and Outpatient Information Systems and the National Social Security Institute.

RESULTS

The cost of depression was Int$ 2,288,511,607.39 in the analyzed period, with an average annual cost of Int$ 254,279,067.49. From 2014 to 2018, had a sharp and persistent decrease in the cost of depression (-44.24%), mainly in indirect costs (-55.83%). In the period investigated, indirect costs represented 74.85% of the total cost. Over time, outpatient surpassed hospital cost. In 2017 and 2018, outpatient costs represented 43.22% and 39.57% of total costs. In all the years and cost components analyzed, women predominated.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression is a disease with a high economic burden for the healthcare system. Investments are still needed, such as higher coverage of services, multidisciplinary teams, and training of health professionals for psychosocial care.

Social inequalities in access to cancer screening and early detection: A population-based study in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

This study monitors trends in access to cancer screening, focusing on mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap smear), and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), assessing the magnitude of inequality in the city of São Paulo from 2003 to 2015 according to education level.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted with data from the 2003, 2008, and 2015 editions of the Health Survey of the City of São Paulo (ISA-Capital). Outcome variables were the proportion of mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap smear), and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests according to the protocols. Inequality was measured by education level according to years of study. For static analysis, Poisson regression was used to estimate proportion ratios.

RESULTS

The proportion of Pap smears remained stationary at a high level (>89%) throughout the study period, while access to mammography and PSA tests significantly increased in the 2003‒2015 period. The present results indicate inequalities in access to cancer screening due to education, and being more expressive for mammography and PSA tests. However, this inequality significantly decreased over the period analyzed comparing the most educated individuals with those with the lowest educational level. In addition, an increase in the proportion of tests performed in the Brazilian Unified Health System was identified, especially for mammography and PSA tests, in the period 2003‒2015.

CONCLUSIONS

The inequalities observed in the access to preventive exams were influenced by the level of education. The offer of exams was expanded, more significantly for mammography and PSA, especially among the less educated group.

Racial and regional inequality in the temporal trend of stunting and excess weight in Brazilian children under five years of age

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the occurrence of racial and regional inequality in the temporal trend of the prevalence of stunting and overweight in Brazilian children under five years of age over the years 2008-2018.

METHODS

An ecological time-series study with data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System on the prevalence of stunting and overweight in children under five years old according to race/skin color, region, and year. To assess differences between median prevalence per year of outcomes, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. Linear regression analyses were proposed to assess trends in the prevalence of outcomes over the years.

RESULTS

In Brazil, black children tended to be overweight (β=4.611; p=0.042). Among black children, there was an increase over the years in stunting in the Southeast (β=3.960; p=0.014) and a decrease in the South (β=-4.654; p=0.022). In Brazil and in most regions, the median prevalence of stunting was higher in black children than in white ones (12.86 vs. 11.54%, p<0.001). In the Southeast and South, black children also had the highest prevalence of overweight (15.48 and 15.99%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Children from less developed regions of Brazil and of black skin color/race were more vulnerable to a double burden of malnutrition.

Racial and regional inequality in the temporal trend of stunting and excess weight in Brazilian children under five years of age

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the occurrence of racial and regional inequality in the temporal trend of the prevalence of stunting and overweight in Brazilian children under five years of age over the years 2008–2018. Methods: An ecological time-series study with data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System on the prevalence of stunting and overweight in children under five years old according to race/skin color, region, and year. To assess differences between median prevalence per year of outcomes, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. Linear regression analyses were proposed to assess trends in the prevalence of outcomes over the years. Results: In Brazil, black children tended to be overweight (β=4.611; p=0.042). Among black children, there was an increase over the years in stunting in the Southeast (β=3.960; p=0.014) and a decrease in the South (β=-4.654; p=0.022). In Brazil and in most regions, the median prevalence of stunting was higher in black children than in white ones (12.86 vs. 11.54%, p<0.001). In the Southeast and South, black children also had the highest prevalence of overweight (15.48 and 15.99%, respectively). Conclusion: Children from less developed regions of Brazil and of black skin color/race were more vulnerable to a double burden of malnutrition.

A percepção do usuário idoso sobre o acesso e a qualidade da Atenção Primária à Saúde

Introdução: O envelhecimento populacional brasileiro já repercute na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção dos idosos quanto ao acesso e à qualidade da atenção em Bambuí, Minas Gerais. Métodos: Esta pesquisa tem abordagem qualitativa. O modelo dos signos, significados e ações foi utilizado na coleta e análise dos dados. Foram realizadas entrevistas nos domicílios, cuja escolha baseou-se em critérios para garantir a heterogeneidade dos participantes. Resultados: A análise fundamentou-se na perspectiva êmica. Nela, emergiram elementos que compõem a percepção do usuário idoso acerca da implantação e da consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde e da Estratégia Saúde da Família local na categoria ― Desafios da Atenção Primária à Saúde na percepção do usuário idoso. Observou-se na percepção dos idosos, o serviço público evoluiu para melhor, porém ainda persistem dificuldades de acesso e a insatisfação de alguns com a qualidade do serviço, o que os leva à busca pela atenção secundária, pela urgência e pela medicina privada. Conclusões: Os achados demonstram que na percepção dos idosos a implantação da Estratégia Saúde da Família foi positiva, porém a atenção primária em saúde ainda pode ser melhorada.

Financing of health and the fiscal dependency of Brazilian municipalities between 2004 and 2019

This article describes the evolution of municipal financing of the Unified Health System, from 2004 to 2019, considering revenues and expenses from own and non-own sources, analyzes fiscal redistribution, according to population size and average household income, and compares this evolution in two periods, characterized as economic growth (2004-2014) and recession (2015-2019). The study was based on data from the Information System on Public Health Budgets. There was real growth in municipal spending on health from 2004 to 2014 (156.3%), with a drop between 2014 and 2015, followed by a recovery between 2015 and 2019. During the recession period, there was an overall increase in the fiscal dependence of municipalities, indicated by the increase in non-own revenues, even with the decrease in the Federal Government participation in transfers. The growth of own health expenses was lower among municipalities with lower household income, while for non-own expenses it was higher in municipalities with a smaller population size. In short, the results indicate a process of increasing municipal spending on health, as well as the increased fiscal dependence of municipalities to fund health, intensified after the 2015 crisis, which especially affected small and lower income municipalities.

Coverage of food consumption assessment in children participating in the Healthy Growth Program - Brazil, 2015-2018

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of food consumption assessment coverage in children under 10 years old before and after the implementation of the Healthy Growth Program (HGP). In this sense, a cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 548 municipalities registered in the HGP and available in the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The food consumption assessment coverage indicator was analyzed per geographic regions, a Chi-square test was performed and the Prevalence Ratios (PR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. Food consumption assessment coverage increased from 0.25% in 2015 to 1.78% in 2018 (PR=7.09; 95%CI 7.00;7.18). The Southern region showed the highest and the Midwestern region the lowest increase in food consumption coverage. Although food consumption assessment coverage has increased less than the five-percent target set by the HGP, there has been an improvement in monitoring the nutritional status of children, which requires developing actions that support mapping the food and nutritional scenario of children in Brazil.

Health services utilization in the Brazilian Amazon: panel of two cross-sectional studies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the use of health services among adults living in Manaus, Amazonas.

METHODS

This was a panel of two cross-sectional studies conducted in Manaus in 2015 and 2019. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years were selected by probabilistic sampling and interviewed at home. The study outcomes were doctor visits and hospitalizations in the previous 12 months, and unmet surgical needs. Variations between 2015 and 2019 were tested using chi-squared goodness-of-fit test. Poisson regression with robust variance was employed to calculate the prevalence ratios (PR) of the outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTS

The surveys included 5,800 participants in total. Visits to the doctor decreased from 2015 (78.7%) to 2019 (76.3%; p < 0.001), hospital admissions increased from 2015 (7.9%) to 2019 (11.5%; p < 0.001), and unmet surgical needs decreased in the period (15.9% to 12.1%; p < 0.001). These variations were particularly observed in vulnerable individuals – sicker; poorer; non-whites; and those belonging to lower social classes, with less access to education, formal jobs, and health insurance (p < 0.05). Doctor visits were higher in people with fair health status (PR = 1.09; 95%CI 1.06–1.12), health insurance (PR = 1.13; 95%CI 1.09–1.17), and chronic diseases (p < 0.001) but lower in men (PR = 0.87; 95%CI 0.84–0.90) and informal workers (PR = 0.89; 95%CI 0.84–0.94). Hospitalizations were higher in people with worse health statuses (p < 0.001), without partners (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.05–1.53), and with multimorbidity (PR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.33–2.12) but lower in men (PR = 0.55; 95%CI 0.44–0.68), older adults (p < 0.001), informal workers (PR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.51–0.89), and unemployed (PR = 0.72; 95%CI 0.53–0.97). Unmet surgical needs were higher in older adults (p < 0.001), middle-class people (PR = 1.24; 95%CI 1.01–1.55), worse health statuses (p < 0.001), and chronic diseases (p < 0.001) but lower in men (PR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.65–0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

From 2015 to 2019, less people visited the doctor, more were admitted to hospitals, and less were in need of surgery or aware of that need, potentially indicating poorer access to health services.

Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with life-threatening events, tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol drinking: a population-based study in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND

The burden of mental health disorders is high and may be particularly alarming in developing countries. We assessed the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with life-threatening events, tobacco dependence, and hazardous alcohol drinking in the Brazilian Amazon.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Manaus in 2019 with adults selected by probabilistic sampling. Depressive symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9 instrument (cut-off ≥9) and anxiety symptoms by the GAD-7 scale (cut-off ≥10). Prevalence ratios (PRs) of depressive and anxiety symptoms were calculated by Poisson regression with robust variance with 95% confidence intervals (CI) following a hierarchical model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationship between the outcomes and risk behaviors.

RESULTS

Out of the 2,321 participants, 24.3% (95%CI 22.2-26.5%) had depressive and 21.6% (95%CI 19.6-23.7%) had anxiety symptoms. Depressive symptoms were more frequent in women (PR=1.32; 95%CI 1.08-1.61), lower social class (PR=1.59; 95%CI 1.11-2.27), life-threatening events (PR=2.66; 95%CI 2.00-3.54), tobacco dependence (PR=1.84; 95%CI 1.37-2.47), worse health statuses (p<0.001), and chronic diseases (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.33-2.00), but were lower in older adults (p=0.014). Anxiety symptoms were higher in women (PR=1.74; 95%CI 1.42-2.14), lower educational levels (PR=2.19; 95%CI 1.38-3.47), evangelical individuals (PR=1.28; 95%CI 1.05-1.57), having no religion (PR=1.72; 95%CI 1.24-2.38), life-threatening events (PR=3.26; 95%CI 2.41-4.41), tobacco dependence (PR=1.53; 95%CI 1.09-2.16), worse health statuses (p<0.001), and chronic diseases (PR=1.77; 95%CI 1.40-2.25). Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and life-threatening events were directly correlated with one another, while tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol drinking were significantly intercorrelated (p<0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design limits the assessment of causality. Recall bias was possible as responses were self-reported. GAD-7 scale was not validated in the Brazilian population.

CONCLUSION

Nearly a quarter of the population had depressive symptoms and one-fifth presented anxiety symptoms, which were associated with socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related factors. Implementation of social well-being policies is required to minimize the burden of mental health disorders in the Amazonian population.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the access to health services: a population-based study in Southern Brazil

Abstract This article aims to measure socioeconomic inequalities regarding access to health services, contact with health professionals, and specific health interventions. This was a cross-sectional population-based study with individuals aged 18 years or older, living in the city of Rio Grande. The outcomes were the following: Family Health Strategy (FHS) coverage; having a health insurance plan; receiving a visit of a community health worker; medical consultation; dental consultation; dietary counseling; having a class with a physical education professional; flu vaccination; mammography, cytopathological and prostate exams. Relative and absolute measures were used to assess inequalities in the distribution of the outcomes. There was a response rate of 91% (1,300 adults were interviewed). Coverage indicators ranged from 16.1%, for having a class with a physical education professional, to 80.0% for medical consultation. FHS coverage and visit of a community health agent presented higher proportions among the poorest while outcomes regarding contact with health professionals, screening exams and flu vaccine were more prevalent among richest group. We observed low coverage levels of access to health services and professionals in addition to marked socioeconomic inequalities.

Inequalities in Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Report on 4 Consecutive Population-Based Surveys in Southern Brazil

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate inequalities in leisure-time physical activity (PA) practice amid the COVID-19 pandemic in a southern Brazilian city.

METHODS

Four repeated population-based surveys were carried out. PA was collected using a questionnaire proposed by the authors and an adapted version of the leisure-time section of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The sociodemographic variables were sex, age, skin color, and education level. The participants also answered questions regarding social distancing measures compliance. Descriptive analyses based on proportions and their respective P values for categorical variables were presented. The chi-square test for heterogeneity and linear trend was used.

RESULTS

The sample is composed of 1556 individuals (66.1% female). Overall, between rounds 1 and 2, PA prevalence declined, followed by a gradual increase thereafter. PA practice during the pandemic was higher among men, individuals with higher education level, and individuals with white skin color in all rounds. In rounds 2, 3, and 4, PA was lower among individuals who were practicing more social distancing.

CONCLUSION

To tackle the PA inequalities, policymakers and stakeholders need to confront disparities, defending greater availability of public policies that are attentive to inequalities, especially regarding gender, skin color, and educational level, to promote PA as a human right.

A resiliência das grandes cidades brasileiras e a pandemia da Covid-19

RESUMO O objetivo do artigo foi descrever a resiliência do gasto governamental com Ações e Serviços Públicos de Saúde (ASPS) no Brasil durante a pandemia da Covid-19 em 2020. Demonstra-se que o desenvolvimento do setor público de saúde contemporâneo foi baseado no federalismo cooperativo. Nesse contexto, a participação municipal no financiamento foi consolidada em torno do pacto da vinculação orçamentária entre os níveis da federação (governo central, estados e municípios). Com base nos indicadores do Sistema de Informação sobre Orçamento Público de Saúde (Siops)/DataSUS/Ministério da Saúde, descrevem-se o Índice de Vinculação Orçamentária e a resiliência da amostra de 87 municípios com elevada disponibilidade orçamentária. Expõe-se que o governo central retirou o apoio à expansão das despesas com ASPS, estabilizando a alocação de seus recursos por meio do veto à vinculação orçamentária. A mudança de orientação federal transferiu o ônus da expansão do financiamento aos governos municipais e estaduais nas últimas décadas. Conclui-se que a estabilização das despesas federais foi compensada pelo crescimento da vinculação do orçamento municipal com as ASPS. Durante o primeiro ciclo da pandemia da Covid-19, a vinculação orçamentária foi crucial para a expansão do financiamento das ASPS na maioria dos municípios da amostra, possibilitando a condição resiliente.

The resilience of large Brazilian cities and the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This paper aimed to describe the resilience of the Federal Government’s fund of Public Health Actions and Services (ASPS) in Brazil during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that the development of the contemporary public health sector was based on cooperative federalism. In this context, municipal participation in financing was consolidated around the constitutional agreement of budget binding between the levels of the Brazilian federation (Central Government, states, and municipalities). The Budget Binding Index (BBI) and the resilience of the sample of 87 municipalities with a high budget are described from the Public Health Budget Information System (SIOPS) indicators, available at DataSUS/Ministry of Health. The paper shows that the central government withdrew its support for increased ASPS expenditure in the last decade, stabilizing the allocation of its resources through the veto on budget binding. The change in federal orientation shifted the burden of expanding financing to municipal and state governments. The paper concludes that the increase in municipal expenditures offset the stabilization of federal expenditures. Budget binding was crucial to the resilience of ASPS funding in most municipalities in the sample during the first cycle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Integrated Care in the Community: The Case of the Programa Maior Cuidado (Older Adult Care Programme) in Belo Horizonte-Minas Gerais, BRA

Internationally, there is a large body of scientific evidence concerning the benefits of integrating health and social care to ensure that frail older people living in the community receive the assistance they need to maintain independence. In the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, located in the state of Minas Gerais, an integrated care intervention has been developed: the Programa Maior Cuidado – Older Adult Care Programme (PMC). This programme represents a pioneering example in Brazil of the provision of carers for highly vulnerable older people, through integrated action between public health and social service agencies. This paper draws on the first phase of a mixed method evaluation of PMC, including data from documentary sources, focus groups, empirical observation and expert workshops, to examine the processes that led to the establishment of programme. The origins of the PMC are discussed and its operational processes, with a particular emphasis on integrated activities and the roles of different actors. The paper situates PMC within comparable international experiences of integrated provision for older people and considers how it has been affected by unique context and challenging of a middle-income country.

Spatial Analysis of Factors Associated with Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions among Old Adults in Minas Gerais State

AIM

To investigate the geographical variability and factors associated with hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) among older adults living in the state of Minas Gerais.

METHODOLOGY

This is an ecological study, based on data from the National Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS). Municipal rates of hospitalization for ACSC were compared to the state's average rate, and analysis of associated factors included sociodemographic characteristics, supply of health services and primary health care (PHC) activities. Data analysis was based on Bayesian spatial modeling.

RESULTS

Most municipalities in Minas Gerais (479 or 56.2%) had a rate of hospitalization for ACSC below the state average. After multivariate analysis, income (β = -0,0008; 95%CI: -0.0014 - -0,0002) and the Family Health Strategy coverage (β = -0.4269; 95%CI: -0.7988 - -0.1116) were negatively associated with the risk of hospitalization for ACSC, while the availability of hospital beds (β = 0.0271; 95%CI 0.0211 - 0.0331) was positively associated. The characteristics of PHC did not show any association with the rate of hospitalization for ACSC.

CONCLUSION

the rates of hospitalization for ACSC in the elderly population were influenced by the PHC coverage, but also by external factors such as income and structure and provision of health services, indicating that the meeting of population health demands passes through actions that go beyond the health sector, including investment in the reduction of poverty and inequality and expansion of access to PHC.

Influence of the global crisis of 2008 and the brazilian political oscillations of 2014 on suicide rates: An analysis of the period from 2002 to 2017

Global suicide rates have increased in recent decades becoming a serious social and public health problem. In Brazil, rates have been increasing annually. We aimed to analyze the correlation between suicide mortality rates and global economic and political crisis periods of 2008 and 2014 in Brazil. The analysis of suicide mortality in Brazil was done using a time-series segmented linear regression model that estimated the trend of rates over time. To obtain the model, changes in the trend of both abrupt and gradual suicide rates were investigated. The results indicate statistically significant changes showing an upward trend of suicide rates during the world economic crisis (2008-2013) and during the economic and political crisis in Brazil (2014-2017) compared to previous periods, especially at the extremes of schooling (3 < years and > 8 years). Among white and parda, there were significant trend rates increases in both periods and in different regions. In the Northeast and South regions, we observed a significant increase in the trend rate for males after the Brazilian economic and political crisis (2014 to 2017). We can conclude that the national suicide rates were influenced by the economic and political instability that our country has been going through since 2008, affecting each region differently. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons for interregional differences and the relation of suicide with unemployment rates and possible economic predictors.

Changing patterns of gender inequities in childhood mortalities during the Sustainable Development Goals era in Nigeria: findings from an artificial neural network analysis

OBJECTIVES

In line with the child survival and gender equality targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and 5, we aimed to: (1) estimate the age and sex-specific mortality trends in child-related SDG indicators (ie, neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR)) over the 1960s-2017 period, and (2) estimate the expected annual reduction rates needed to achieve the SDG-3 targets by projecting rates from 2018 to 2030.

DESIGN

Group method of data handling-type artificial neural network (GMDH-type ANN) time series.

METHODS

This study used an artificial intelligence time series (GMDH-type ANN) to forecast age-specific childhood mortality rates (neonatal and under-five) and sex-specific U5MR from 2018 to 2030. The data sets were the yearly historical mortality rates between 1960s and 2017, obtained from the World Bank website. Two scenarios of mortality trajectories were simulated: (1) status quo scenarios-assuming the current trend continues; and (2) acceleration scenarios-consistent with the SDG targets.

RESULTS

At the projected rates of decline of 2.0% for NMR and 1.2% for U5MR, Nigeria will not achieve the child survival SDG targets by 2030. Unexpectedly, U5MR will begin to increase by 2028. To put Nigeria back on track, annual reduction rates of 7.8% for NMR and 10.7% for U5MR are required. Also, female U5MR is decreasing more slowly than male U5MR. At the end of SDG era, female deaths will be higher than male deaths (80.9 vs 62.6 deaths per 1000 live births).

CONCLUSION

Nigeria is not likely to achieve SDG targets for child survival and gender equities because female disadvantages will worsen. A plausible reason for the projected increase in female mortality is societal discrimination and victimisation faced by female child. Stakeholders in Nigeria need to adequately plan for child health to achieve SDG targets by 2030. Addressing gender inequities in childhood mortality in Nigeria would require gender-sensitive policies and community mobilisation against gender-based discrimination towards female child.

Health financing in Brazil and the goals of the 2030 Agenda: high risk of failure

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the financing of the Unified Health System (SUS) from 2010 to 2019 and analyze the recent trends in the allocation of federal resources to large areas of operation of the system, as well as the possibility of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of the 2030 Agenda.

METHODS:

Data from the budgetary and financial execution of the federation entities were obtained. Transfers from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) to the municipal and state departments and their direct applications were identified according to large final areas of SUS and middle areas. Basic descriptive statistics, graphs and tables were used to analyze the execution of expenses by these areas.

RESULTS:

Public spending per capita on health increased between 2010 and 2018. However, compared to 2014, it reduced 3% in 2018. There was a displacement of the allocation of federal resources to the detriment of transfers to the states (−21%). There are also losses of health surveillance in favor of primary care and pharmaceuticals. In the case of primary care, the increase in spending was tied to changes in policy and the expansion of resources allocated by parliamentary amendments. In the case of pharmaceuticals, the increase was due to the incorporation of new drugs, including vaccines, judicialization, increased spending on blood products and centralization, in the MH, of the purchase of items of high budgetary impact.

CONCLUSION:

If there is no change in the current SUS financing framework, something unlikely under Constitutional Amendment No. 95, associated with the redefinition of health policy priorities, the risk of non-compliance with the SDG 3 of the Agenda 2030 is very high.

Entre o enclausuramento e a desinstitucionalização: a trajetória da saúde mental no Brasil

Resumo O objetivo foi analisar a trajetória das políticas de saúde mental no Brasil. Realizamos a sistematização dos períodos históricos com base na análise dos contextos sociopolítico, de organização do sistema de saúde e das características da atenção em saúde mental. Identificamos sete períodos desde a institucionalização da loucura, no período imperial, até 2019. A trajetória da política revela um processo de disputa de concepções epistemológicas e simbólicas sobre a loucura e o adoecimento mental, que em interação com outros fatores contextuais influenciam os modelos assistenciais e as práticas de cuidado. Posteriormente, discutimos a pluralidade de abordagens da desinstitucionalização no cenário internacional e as influências sobre o modelo de saúde mental proposto pela Reforma Psiquiátrica Brasileira. Apresentamos uma síntese da ideia de desinstitucionalização considerando as várias dimensões que envolvem a perspectiva abrangente do termo. Por fim, refletimos sobre os avanços e desafios da Reforma Psiquiátrica Brasileira. Apesar das significativas conquistas, persistem problemas relacionados ao financiamento, à estigmatização, à frágil articulação intersetorial e à reprodução da lógica manicomial nos serviços substitutivos. Além disso, as atuais mudanças na Política Nacional de Saúde Mental constituem-se como principais ameaças ao modelo desinstitucionalizante.

Physical inactivity as a risk factor to mortality by ischemic heart disease during economic and political crisis in Brazil

Background

To investigate the burden of mortality due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) attributable to low levels of physical activity in the Brazilian population (aged ≥ 25 years) before, during and after economic and political crises (2007–2017).

Methods

This study was focused on IHD as a cause of death. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases (10th revision) codes related to IHD have been mapped. The data used for the physical activity estimates of the present study refer to surveys with random sampling carried out in the Brazilian territory that considers all domains of physical activity. The contribution of physical activity for mortality due to IHD was estimated using a comparative risk assessment approach. In addition, we verified the association between mortality due to IHD attributable to low levels of physical activity according to the Socio-demographic Index of the Brazilian states.

Results

For males it was estimated that in 2007 and 2017 there were, respectively, 9,585 and 11,821 deaths due to IHD as a result low physical activity. For females there were 8,689 deaths in 2007 and 10,779 deaths in 2017 due to IHD attributable to low physical activity. From 2007 to 2017, there was 12.0% (for males) and 16.0% (for females) of reduction in age-adjusted mortality rate due to IHD attributable to low physical activity. This reduction was not observed in the Northern and Northeastern regions of Brazil for the male population. Brazilian states with better socioeconomic conditions showed greater reductions in age-adjusted mortality rate due to IHD attributable to low physical activity (male: ρ = −0.74; female: ρ = −0.54)

Conclusion

The fiscal austerity policies implemented and the lower investment in social programs in the period of economic and political crisis highlighted the social inequalities between Brazilian geographic regions for the burden of mortality due to IHD attributable to low levels of physical activity.

Men's feelings and emotions in the Covid-19 framing

OBJECTIVE

to understand how men's feelings and emotions contribute to the Covid-19 framing in Brazil.

METHOD

Asocial-historical, qualitative study, carried out with 200 men resident in Brazil, through online search on digital platform.The grasped data were analyzed by the Collective Subject Discourse method in the light of the reference of epidemic disease proposed by Charles Rosemberg.

RESULTS

Negative feelings and anxiety prevailed due to the knowledge about the growing number of hospitalized patients and deaths from the pandemic conveyed in the news. For men, the optimism is necessary to encourage attitudes with responsibility and trust that the crisis will be overcome.Subsequently, men present a set of attitudes and behaviors for coping with the pandemic.Moreover,the acceptance signals the emergence of the fourth dramaturgical act of the Covid-19framing.

CONCLUSION

Men's feelings and emotions, in this historic context, pervade three of the four acts of the Covid-19 framingin Brazil.

Bayesian spatio-temporal models for mapping TB mortality risk and its relationship with social inequities in a region from Brazilian Legal Amazon

BACKGROUND

Reducing TB mortality is a great challenge in Brazil due to its territorial extension, cultural variations and economic and political crises, which impact the health system. This study aimed to estimate in space and time the risk of TB mortality and test its relationship with social inequities.

METHODS

This was an ecological study that included deaths from TB between 2006 and 2016 in Cuiabá, Brazilian Legal Amazon. Bayesian models based on the integrated nested Laplace approximation approach were used to estimate spatio-temporal RRs. RRs for TB mortality were obtained according to the covariables representative of social inequities.

RESULTS

The risk of TB mortality was stable between 2006 and 2016 and high-risk areas were identified throughout the municipality studied. Regarding social inequities, income was an important factor associated with TB mortality risk, as an increase of 1 SD in income resulted in a 35.4% (RR 0.646; CI 95% 0.476 to 0.837) decrease in risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provided evidence of areas with higher TB mortality risks that have persisted over time and are related to social inequities. Advancing social policies and protections in these areas will contribute to achieving the WHO's End TB strategy.

Pobreza e desigualdades sociais: tensões entre direitos, austeridade e suas implicações na atenção primária

Resumo As relações entre pobreza e saúde são percebidas no cotidiano da sociedade brasileira, constituindo faces das desigualdades de um contexto social perverso. Este artigo é uma revisão da literatura sobre a política de saúde, especificamente no âmbito da atenção primária, evidenciando as tensões entre a questão social, os direitos sociais, as atuais políticas de austeridade e suas implicações nos cuidados em saúde da população mais pobre. A partir da Constituição de 1988, celebra-se um pacto social, que entra em contradição com as políticas de austeridade impostas pelo neoliberalismo. Com o agravamento da crise do capital e a Emenda Constitucional 95/2016, as políticas de proteção social pautadas na seguridade social, como o Sistema Único de Saúde, encontram-se ameaçadas, com consequências diretas para a população. Mesmo reconhecendo as conquistas no acesso à saúde da população mais pobre, as barreiras que atravessam essa realidade podem ser agravadas, pondo em risco os direitos conquistados. Portanto, ao considerar a Atenção Primária à Saúde como modelo de cuidado diferenciado, reitera-se sua relação com a dimensão social, uma vez que já se fazem sentir os impactos do desmonte das políticas sociais na saúde da população.

Crise econômica, austeridade e seus efeitos sobre o financiamento e acesso a serviços públicos e privados de saúde bucal

Resumo O presente estudo analisou os efeitos da austeridade e crise econômica sobre o financiamento da saúde bucal, oferta e utilização de serviços públicos e acesso a planos exclusivamente odontológicos no Brasil, no período de 2003 a 2018. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. Foram coletados dados da base do Fundo Nacional de Saúde, da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar, da Sala de Apoio à Gestão Estratégica, do Sistema e-gestor. Observou-se que o repasse federal fundo a fundo apresentou tendência crescente de 2003 a 2010 e estável de 2011 a 2018. A oferta decresceu ao final do período com redução da cobertura da primeira consulta odontológica programática, média da escovação dental supervisionada e número de tratamentos endodônticos. Na contramão da crise financeira pública, as empresas de planos exclusivamente odontológicos expandiram o mercado de 2,6 milhões de usuários em 2000 para 24,3 milhões em 2018, com lucro de mais de R$240 milhões. A austeridade fiscal tem forte influência sobre a utilização de serviços públicos odontológicos no Brasil, que pode beneficiar o mercado privado e ampliar as desigualdades.

Impacto das crises financeiras sobre os indicadores de saúde bucal: revisão integrativa da literatura

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar, por meio de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, os possíveis impactos das crises financeiras sobre os indicadores de saúde bucal em diferentes países, bem como verificar as medidas adotadas de forma a traçar um paralelo com a realidade brasileira. Uma busca de artigos que atendessem a estes critérios foi realizada nas bases PUBMED, EMBASE, Lilacs, SCOPUS e também na literatura cinzenta. Ao final, nove estudos foram incluídos. Os resultados indicam que a população em maior vulnerabilidade, menor renda e menor escolaridade são as mais afetadas, independentemente do indicador avaliado (cárie dentária não tratada, acesso aos serviços de Atenção Odontológica e hábitos de higiene). Quando medidas protetivas com alocação de recursos financeiras foram tomadas, as disparidades diminuíram. Concluiu-se que, frente às crises econômicas, a saúde bucal passa a não ser prioridade enquanto centro nucleador de políticas, o que impacta o acesso ao cuidado dos estratos sociais menos favorecidos.

Crisis and federalism: trends and regional patterns of health revenues and expenditures in the brazilian states

This study aims to analyze regional trends and patterns of health revenues and expenditure in the Brazilian states from 2006 to 2016. This is an exploratory and descriptive study based on secondary national data and selected indicators. Higher per capita net current revenues for all states and regions, with decreasing levels in specific years associated with the crises of 2008-2009 and 2015-2016 were observed. Per capita health expenditure showed an increasing trend, even in times of economic crisis and declining collection. Diversity of sources and heterogeneity of health revenues and expenditures, as well as different impacts of the crisis on the regional budgets, were observed. The results suggest the protective effect of constitutional health linkage, spending commitments and priorities, and compensation mechanisms of fiscal federalism revenue sources in state health expenditures. However, challenges remain for the implementation of a transfer system that reduces inequalities and establishes greater cooperation among entities, in a context of austerity and strong public health financing constraints in Brazil.

Political struggles for a universal health system in Brazil: successes and limits in the reduction of inequalities

Background

Brazil is a populous high/middle-income country, characterized by deep economic and social inequalities. Like most other Latin American nations, Brazil constructed a health system that included, on the one hand, public health programs and, on the other, social insurance healthcare for those working in the formal sector. This study analyzes the political struggles surrounding the implementation of a universal health system from the mid-1980s to the present, and their effects on selected health indicators, focusing on the relevant international and national contexts, political agendas, government orientations and actors.

Main text

In the 1980s, against the backdrop of economic crisis and democratization, Brazil’s health reform movement proposed a Unified Health System (SUS), which was incorporated into the 1988 Constitution. The combination of a democratic system with opportunities for interaction between various developmental and social agendas and actors has played a key role in shaping health policy since then. However, the expansion of public services has been hampered by insufficient public funding and by the strengthening of the private sector, subsidized by the state. Private enterprises have expanded their markets and political influence, in a process that has accelerated in recent years. Despite these obstacles, SUS has produced significant health-status improvements and some (although incomplete) reductions in Brazil’s vast health inequalities.

Conclusions

We find that a combination of long-term structural and contingent factors, international agendas and interests, as well as domestic political struggles, explains the advances and obstacles to building a universal system in an economically important yet unequal peripheral country. Further consolidation of SUS and reduction of health inequalities hinge on the uncertain prospects for democracy and national development, on enlarging the political coalition to support a public and universal health system, and on strengthening the state’s ability to regulate the private sector.

Development, environmental degradation, and disease spread in the Brazilian Amazon

The Amazon is Brazil's greatest natural resource and invaluable to the rest of the world as a buffer against climate change. The recent election of Brazil's president brought disputes over development plans for the region back into the spotlight. Historically, the development model for the Amazon has focused on exploitation of natural resources, resulting in environmental degradation, particularly deforestation. Although considerable attention has focused on the long-term global cost of "losing the Amazon," too little attention has focused on the emergence and reemergence of vector-borne diseases that directly impact the local population, with spillover effects to other neighboring areas. We discuss the impact of Amazon development models on human health, with a focus on vector-borne disease risk. We outline policy actions that could mitigate these negative impacts while creating opportunities for environmentally sensitive economic activities.

The potential impact of austerity on attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil

In the recent decades, Brazil has outperformed comparable countries in its progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Many of these improvements have been driven by investments in health and social policies. In this article, we aim to identify potential impacts of austerity policies in Brazil on the chances of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and its consequences for population health. Austerity's anticipated impacts are assessed by analysing the change in federal spending on different budget programmes from 2014 to 2017. We collected budget data made publicly available by the Senate. Among the selected 19 programmes, only 4 had their committed budgets increased, in real terms, between 2014 and 2017. The total amount of extra money committed to these four programmes in 2017, above that committed in 2014, was small (BR$9.7 billion). Of the 15 programmes that had budget cuts in the period from 2014 to 2017, the total decrease amounted to BR$60.2 billion (US$15.3 billion). In addition to the overall large budget reduction, it is noteworthy that the largest proportional reductions were in programmes targeted at more vulnerable populations. In conclusion, it seems clear that the current austerity policies in Brazil will probably damage the population's health and increase inequities, and that the possibility of meeting SDG targets is lower in 2018 than it was in 2015.

Programa Médicos pelo Brasil: inovação ou continuidade?

Apesar do lançamento do Programa Médicos pelo Brasil (PMB) alardear a ideia de inovação, este artigo evidencia o processo de continuidade do programa atual em relação ao Programa Mais Médicos (PMM). O PMB se estrutura nos acertos do PMM para montar o seu arcabouço de funcionamento e tenta superar problemas existentes no programa anterior. A principal proposta do PMB é a carreira médica para atuação na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), sem, no entanto, apresentar outros elementos importantes para a fixação profissional. Desta forma, apresenta-se como uma política mais frágil que seu antecessor, com foco apenas no provimento de médicos, correndo o risco de não atingir os objetivos a que se propôs enquanto política pública. Além disso, através da proposta de criação da Agência para o Desenvolvimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde (Adaps), o programa abre margem para a privatização dos serviços de APS e do Sistema Único de Saúde como um todo.

Tendências da participação no SUS: a ênfase na instrumentalidade e na interface interestatal

RESUMO Diante da conjuntura de austeridade fiscal, da regressividade dos direitos sociais e da gestão pública de base democrática, o presente manuscrito teve por objetivo analisar as tendências da participação na saúde. Para tanto, realizou-se estudo de documentos emitidos pela OMS/Opas/Brasil, Banco Mundial e registros do seminário internacional sobre o futuro dos sistemas universais de saúde, promovido por entidade de gestores públicos (Conass). A pesquisa bibliográfica contemplou estudos publicados em periódicos da área da saúde vinculados a entidades acadêmico-cientificas que constituíram as bases político-organizativas do movimento de reforma sanitária brasileira, além de outros periódicos nacionais que dedicaram número especial aos 30 anos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). O estudo encontrou nos documentos internacionais referências a uma participação instrumental, despolitizada e do tipo parceria Estado-sociedade-mercado, quando comparada com as bases democráticas de articulação política do movimento de reforma sanitária. A ênfase dos documentos é para uma gestão e uma participação com base na interface interestatal na qual o Estado é mais um sujeito na realização dos serviços de saúde. No entanto, há uma tímida valorização da institucionalidade participativa no evento do Conass e um silenciamento quanto ao tema nos periódicos da área, nas publicações comemorativas dos 30 anos do SUS.