VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN THE PURSUIT OF COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE

Abstract

This study analyzed the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in their pursuit of comprehensive health care, focusing on the structural, social, and institutional barriers that compromise equitable access to public services. The central objective was to understand how social determinants influence illness and the effectiveness of public policies, identifying strategies to strengthen equity and comprehensiveness in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Methodologically, this is a narrative literature review, descriptive and analytical in nature, conducted between January and November 2025, using the PubMed, SciELO, BVS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Studies published between 2017 and 2025 that addressed vulnerable groups such as homeless people, incarcerated individuals, indigenous people, immigrants, health professionals, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS were included. The results indicated that vulnerability is a multidimensional phenomenon that transcends the biomedical field, manifesting itself in political, economic, cultural, and symbolic dimensions. The analysis of the seven included studies showed that Primary Health Care (PHC) is central to promoting equity and addressing inequalities, but faces structural and management limitations. It was observed that underfunding, social stigma, and the absence of intersectoral articulation are factors that perpetuate exclusion and compromise the effectiveness of public policies. It is concluded that strengthening PHC, continuing professional development, and investment in intersectoral policies are fundamental for the effective implementation of the principle of comprehensiveness. Furthermore, it is recommended to expand studies and strategies aimed at promoting citizenship and addressing health inequities, reaffirming the ethical and political commitment to universality and human dignity.