INEQUALITIES IN STROKE TREATMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Abstract

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) disproportionately affects developing countries and is among the leading causes of death in Brazil. Social determinants of health reflect not only stroke risk but also post-treatment health outcomes. In order to identify which social determinants of health influence post-stroke treatment, an integrative literature review was conducted. Articles indexed in the Scopus, Scielo and Pubmed databases were consulted, using controlled descriptors in English, from the last five years, with 33 articles analyzed by title, author, year, objective, methodology, social determinants analyzed and related to stroke treatment and main outcomes. Income was the social determinant with the highest relationship to stroke treatment, leading to higher health costs, mortality, and morbidity. Analyzing and recognizing the relationships between stroke and its social determinants enables a better definition of public and health policies, adjusted to the real needs of patients in recovery.