As desigualdades socioeconômicas na saúde da população brasileira: uma análise a partir da pesquisa nacional por amostra de domicílios - PNADS, 1998-2008

Abstract

Health inequality is a generic term used to designate differences, disparities or variations in the health status of individuals and groups. The words inequality and equality refer to quantitative and measurable differences, while inequality and equity are political concepts that refer to a matter of social justice (KAWACHI, SUBRAMANIAN and ALMEIDA-FILHO, 2002). Inequalities have been documented for a long time, especially since the 19th century, and, in different societies, health status varies between different social groups. (CHEAP, 2009). Inequality occurs when access to a given level of health, as well as to goods and services, occurs unequally due to the position that individuals occupy in the social organization (WILKINSON AND MARMOT, 2003). These inequalities are considered unfair, as they are independent of the individual's choice and cannot be explained by biological differences, as they reflect an unequal distribution of social determinants of health, such as access to education, housing, employment, health services and the social bases of the self-respect (TOWSEND et al., 1992; WHITEHEAD, 2007; WILKINSON AND MARMOT, 2003).