Subject(s)
Health Policy , Policy Making , Health Status Disparities , National Health Programs , Socioeconomic Factors , Education , SpainABSTRACT
El sistema de salud es uno de los determinantes sociales de salud y aunque no es el más relevante, no debe desestimarse su potencial contribución a la reducción de las desigualdades sociales en la salud. Las características de la atención primaria de salud la hacen idónea para este objetivo. Una igualdad en el acceso a los servicios sanitarios, una atención proporcional a las necesidades y el trabajo conjunto con otros sectores pueden conseguir un efecto estimable en el camino hacia la equidad efectiva en salud. En este artículo se resumen los antecedentes y el marco de acción para reducir las desigualdades sociales en salud y se presenta una síntesis de propuestas de actuación en atención primaria para contribuir a este objetivo que se recogen en los documentos nacionales e internacionales más relevantes sobre políticas de salud pública. Se pretende suscitar el debate, estimular la generación del conocimiento ausente en nuestro ámbito e impulsar las acciones en la práctica. Las propuestas se presentan en cinco líneas de intervención: información para la acción, participación social, capacitación; intersectorialidad y reorientación de la atención a la salud. Cada línea de intervención se describe según los destinatarios o sujetos de la acción (ciudadanos y comunidad, equipo de atención primaria, gestión del centro y área de salud, política de salud) (AU)
The health system is a social determinant of health. Although not the most important determinant of health, the health system's potential contribution to reducing social inequalities in health should not be underestimated. Due to its characteristics, primary health care is well placed to attain equity in health. To make progress in achieving this goal, the main measures to be considered are the removal of barriers to access to services, the provision of care proportionate to need, and engagement in intersectoral work. This article reviews the background and framework for action to tackle social inequalities in health and provides a summary of the primary health care actions that could help to reduce social inequalities in health and are mentioned in the most important national and international documents on health policy. We hope to stimulate debate, promote research in the field and encourage implementation. The proposals are grouped in the following five intervention lines: information systems; participation; training; intersectoral work; and reorientation of health care. Each intervention is ordered according to its targets (population and civil society; primary health team; health center and health area management; and health policy decision-makers) (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Health Status Disparities , 50207 , Universal Access to Health Care Services , Primary Health Care/trends , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care/trends , Public Policy , Social Participation , Intersectoral CollaborationABSTRACT
The health system is a social determinant of health. Although not the most important determinant of health, the health system's potential contribution to reducing social inequalities in health should not be underestimated. Due to its characteristics, primary health care is well placed to attain equity in health. To make progress in achieving this goal, the main measures to be considered are the removal of barriers to access to services, the provision of care proportionate to need, and engagement in intersectoral work. This article reviews the background and framework for action to tackle social inequalities in health and provides a summary of the primary health care actions that could help to reduce social inequalities in health and are mentioned in the most important national and international documents on health policy. We hope to stimulate debate, promote research in the field and encourage implementation. The proposals are grouped in the following five intervention lines: information systems; participation; training; intersectoral work; and reorientation of health care. Each intervention is ordered according to its targets (population and civil society; primary health team; health center and health area management; and health policy decision-makers).
Subject(s)
National Health Programs/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Socioeconomic Factors , Community Health Centers/organization & administration , Community Participation , Decision Making , Goals , Health Policy , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Information Systems , Social Change , SpainABSTRACT
Tackling health inequalities to achieve health equity is currently one of the main challenges for developed and developing countries. Aware of this reality, and knowing how relevant for economic and social growth the inequalities in health are, the Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Policy has established "Innovation in Public Health: monitoring social determinants of health and reduction of health inequalities" as one of the priorities for the Spanish presidency of the European Union in the first semester of 2010. Furthermore, a national strategy to tackle health inequalities is being developed in the current political term. By choosing this priority, the Spanish Ministry of Health an Social Policy aims to contribute to move forward a coherent and effective agenda at both European and national level, in a new world stage more aware of the social and economic expenditure of inequity in health and its repercussions on countries welfare and development.
Subject(s)
Health Status Indicators , Information Systems , Public Health , Socioeconomic Factors , Developed Countries , Developing Countries , European Union , Health Policy , Humans , Organizational Innovation , Public Policy , SpainABSTRACT
Actualmente uno de los principales retos para las sociedades, tanto desarrolladas como en vías de desarrollo, es disminuir las desigualdades en salud para conseguir una equidad efectiva. El Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social, consciente de esta realidad y conocedor de la importancia que las desigualdades en salud tienen en el desarrollo económico y social de un país, ha establecido como prioridad para la Presidencia española de la Unión Europea del primer semestre de 2010 la «Innovación en Salud Pública: monitorización de los determinantes sociales de la salud y reducción de las desigualdades en salud». Además, para esta legislatura también se ha marcado la reducción de las desigualdades como una prioridad y se está trabajando en el desarrollo de una estrategia nacional. Al elegir esta prioridad para la Presidencia se pretende, por tanto, dar un nuevo impulso a la equidad en salud en la agenda política, tanto nacional como europea, en un momento en el que contamos con un nuevo escenario mundial más consciente del coste social y económico de la desigualdad, y de sus repercusiones en el bienestar y desarrollo de los países(AU)
Tackling health inequalities to achieve health equity is currently one of the main challenges for developed and developing countries. Aware of this reality, and knowing how relevant for economic and social growth the inequalities in health are, the Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Policy has established «Innovation in Public Health: monitoring social determinants of health and reduction of health inequalities» as one of the priorities for the Spanish presidency of the European Union in the first semester of 2010. Furthermore, a national strategy to tackle health inequalities is being developed in the current political term. By choosing this priority, the Spanish Ministry of Health an Social Policy aims to contribute to move forward a coherent and effective agenda at both European and national level, in a new world stage more aware of the social and economic expenditure of inequity in health and its repercussions on countries welfare and development(AU)
