Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil

Vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIAPN+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transvestite, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, non-binary, and other gender and sexuality groups and variations), Black people, and Indigenous peoples, are more sus...

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Main Authors: Pérola Teixeira dos Santos, Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo, Patricia Melo Aguiar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centro Universitário São Camilo 2025-07-01
Series:O Mundo da Saúde
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1702
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author Pérola Teixeira dos Santos
Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo
Patricia Melo Aguiar
author_facet Pérola Teixeira dos Santos
Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo
Patricia Melo Aguiar
author_sort Pérola Teixeira dos Santos
collection DOAJ
description Vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIAPN+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transvestite, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, non-binary, and other gender and sexuality groups and variations), Black people, and Indigenous peoples, are more susceptible to mental disorders and face multiple barriers in accessing healthcare. However, the scientific literature still lacks a study that synthesizes findings on this topic. This work synthesized the relationship between mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable groups in Brazil. A search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar based on the question: “What is the relationship between mental health and access to healthcare in vulnerable populations in Brazil?” A total of 578 records were identified, of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. The LGBTQIAPN+ population showed poorer access to healthcare due to financial issues and prejudice. Stigmatization, social discrimination, and lack of resources affected access to mental health services and the quality of care for the homeless population. Race/ethnicity and low educational attainment were the main factors associated with reduced access to depression diagnosis and treatment among Black individuals. Data collected on the topic in the Indigenous population were inconsistent, preventing a conclusive analysis for this group. The implementation of public policies aimed at improving the availability and quality of healthcare services for vulnerable populations is essential to reduce access inequalities in the Brazilian population and mitigate their social and economic impacts.
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spelling doaj-art-30107b79aeea4b71895d93e1b3a03fea2025-08-20T03:09:44ZengCentro Universitário São CamiloO Mundo da Saúde0104-78091980-39902025-07-014910.15343/0104-7809.202549e17022025P2234Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in BrazilPérola Teixeira dos Santos0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7478-317XThiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8602-9338Patricia Melo Aguiar2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3957-4533Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo – FCF/USP. São Paulo/SP, Brasil.Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo – FCF/USP. São Paulo/SP, Brasil.Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo – FCF/USP. São Paulo/SP, Brasil.Vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIAPN+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transvestite, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, non-binary, and other gender and sexuality groups and variations), Black people, and Indigenous peoples, are more susceptible to mental disorders and face multiple barriers in accessing healthcare. However, the scientific literature still lacks a study that synthesizes findings on this topic. This work synthesized the relationship between mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable groups in Brazil. A search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar based on the question: “What is the relationship between mental health and access to healthcare in vulnerable populations in Brazil?” A total of 578 records were identified, of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. The LGBTQIAPN+ population showed poorer access to healthcare due to financial issues and prejudice. Stigmatization, social discrimination, and lack of resources affected access to mental health services and the quality of care for the homeless population. Race/ethnicity and low educational attainment were the main factors associated with reduced access to depression diagnosis and treatment among Black individuals. Data collected on the topic in the Indigenous population were inconsistent, preventing a conclusive analysis for this group. The implementation of public policies aimed at improving the availability and quality of healthcare services for vulnerable populations is essential to reduce access inequalities in the Brazilian population and mitigate their social and economic impacts.https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1702vulnerabilityhealthaccessdiscriminationequityminorities
spellingShingle Pérola Teixeira dos Santos
Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo
Patricia Melo Aguiar
Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
O Mundo da Saúde
vulnerability
health
access
discrimination
equity
minorities
title Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
title_full Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
title_fullStr Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
title_short Mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in Brazil
title_sort mental health and access to healthcare among vulnerable populations in brazil
topic vulnerability
health
access
discrimination
equity
minorities
url https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1702
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