Refletions about health equity: the case of Unified Health System of Brazil

Abstract

A conceptual analysis of equity and pragmatic implications of their several notions was made. Two main meanings were found: a general one, when the sense of equity is very similar to justice and equality; and a second related to the notion of singular situation and to difference between subjects. It was found that on the health area the first meaning is more used. A revision about equity evaluation during the last decade concerned with the Unique Health System (SUS) was undertaken. Positive results were found on services' access and utilization, but areas with iniquities persist.