Health on the Brazilian Border: Public Policies and Access to Services

Abstract

Public health on the Brazilian border is part of national territorial policy. The objective of this study is to survey health services available along the Brazilian border. Databases from the Online Scientific Electronic Library (SciELO) and the Virtual Health Library (VHL) were analyzed according to the following categories: 1) profile of mortality of the border population and 2) health care services available along the border with neighboring countries. An epidemiological characterization of the national and foreign populations is offered, especially with regard to diseases which require mandatory notification. This data is related to strictly biological issues instead of subjective, psychological, socio-spatial and border-related issues. We reach the conclusion that the Brazilian border significantly lacks interdisciplinary studies and professional health services and is sorely in the need of public policy that promotes healthcare at the level of local and regional integration.