PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS: TOOLS FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC POLICIES

Abstract

This study aims to critically analyze the role of public health indicators in assessing the quality and effectiveness of public policies. This is a qualitative, exploratory study developed through an integrative review of the scientific literature, focusing on articles published between 2018 and 2024. The analysis showed that, although indicators represent central instruments in structuring evidence-based public policies, their use is still limited by factors such as the fragmentation of information systems, the lack of standardization, underuse in government audit processes, and the weak articulation between federative bodies. It was observed that recent advances, such as digital indicators, governance models based on metadata, and intersectoral approaches such as One Health, expand the evaluative potential of these tools, but their effectiveness depends on solid institutional structures, installed technical capacity, and political commitment to equity. It is concluded that strengthening governance, social participation and the culture of evaluation are essential elements for indicators to fulfill their strategic role in improving health policies.