INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH ON ACCESS TO AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n1-139Keywords:
Social Determinants of Health, Access to Health Services, Healthcare Utilization, Health Equity, Public HealthAbstract
Inequalities in access to and utilization of health services remain a persistent challenge in contemporary health systems, even in contexts where the right to health is formally universal. These inequalities are closely associated with Social Determinants of Health, which shape the opportunities of individuals and social groups to recognize health needs, seek care, and maintain continuous engagement with health services. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the influence of Social Determinants of Health on access to and utilization of health services across different population and organizational settings. This study consists of a narrative literature review conducted through searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and the Virtual Health Library, using descriptors related to social determinants, access, and health service utilization, combined with Boolean operators. Studies published between 2023 and 2025, in Portuguese and English, that directly addressed the proposed topic were included. The findings indicate that socioeconomic, territorial, and demographic factors significantly affect patterns of service use, leading to increased reliance on emergency care, lower adherence to preventive actions, and fragmented continuity of care among socially vulnerable populations. It is concluded that the systematic incorporation of Social Determinants of Health into health planning and service organization is essential to reduce health inequities and to strengthen practices guided by equity and social justice.
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