PUBLIC HEALTH IN TRANSFORMATION: IMPACTS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES, DIGITAL HEALTH, AND HEALTH CRISES ON THE ORGANIZATION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AND HEALTH CARE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n2-071Keywords:
Health Crises, Health Inequalities, Social Determinants of Health, Pandemics, Public Health, TelemedicineAbstract
The persistence of social inequalities, as an expression of the social determinants of health, coupled with the progressive incorporation of digital health and the challenges arising from recent health crises, has provoked significant changes in how health systems are organized and how healthcare is delivered. In this context, contemporary Public Health is undergoing a transformation process marked by the persistence of social inequalities, the progressive incorporation of digital health, and the challenges imposed by recent health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Brazilian context, these elements directly influence the organization of health systems and the delivery of care, especially in territories characterized by social, regional, and structural vulnerabilities. This study aims to analyze the impacts of social inequalities, digital health, and health crises on the organization of health systems and healthcare, based on an integrative literature review. The research was conducted by consulting the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and Virtual Health Library databases, in addition to including normative documents and institutional reports from official bodies such as the Ministry of Health (2017, 2020, 2025) and IBGE (2024). The PICO strategy guided the formulation of the research question, the selection of descriptors, and the analysis of the included studies. Nine scientific studies and institutional documents were selected that address, in a complementary way, the effects of social inequalities, the incorporation of digital technologies, and institutional responses to health crises on the organization of services and the production of care. The findings indicate that social and territorial inequalities condition the responsiveness of health systems, influence access to services, and modulate health outcomes, especially in crisis contexts. Digital health emerges as a relevant strategy for reorganizing work processes and expanding access, although its effectiveness depends on overcoming digital exclusion and strengthening Primary Health Care. It is concluded that the transformation of Public Health requires the articulation between social policies, technological innovation, and structural strategies for reducing inequalities, aiming for more equitable, integrated, and resilient health systems.
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