Invisible Inequalities: How Social Determinants Shape Access to Healthcare Services in Contemporary Brazil

Abstract

This study examines how social determinants shape access to healthcare services in contemporary Brazil, highlighting that inequalities extend beyond economic conditions to encompass education, race, gender, territory, working conditions, and environment. It analyzes how these structural dimensions shape opportunities, limit rights, and produce forms of exclusion often rendered invisible by public policies. The text shows that vulnerable populations face barriers to access, quality, and continuity of care, reinforcing historical disparities and compromising the effectiveness of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It argues that recognizing and addressing these inequalities is fundamental to promoting equity, strengthening integrated policies, and redefining care strategies that consider the complexity of the Brazilian social context. The study contributes to the debate on social justice by presenting possible paths to reduce inequalities and expand universal, comprehensive access to healthcare.