SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND INEQUALITY IN ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES

Abstract

The social determinants of health represent a set of social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors that directly influence the living conditions of the population and access to health services. In this context, social inequalities contribute to inequities in healthcare, primarily affecting vulnerable groups. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the social determinants of health and inequalities in access to health services. This is a narrative literature review, with a qualitative and descriptive approach, conducted through searches in the databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Virtual Health Library (BVS), PubMed, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2015 and 2026, available in full text and related to the proposed theme, were selected. The results show that factors such as income, education, housing conditions, labor market participation, and geographic location significantly influence the population's access to health services. Furthermore, inequalities related to territorial, racial, and socioeconomic aspects continue to be important barriers to the effective implementation of the principle of equity in health systems. It is observed that, despite the advances promoted by public policies and the expansion of primary health care coverage, challenges related to the distribution of resources and the organization of services still persist. It is concluded that understanding the social determinants of health is fundamental for the development of strategies and public policies aimed at reducing inequalities in access to health services, contributing to the promotion of equity and the improvement of the population's health conditions.