The role of Social Determinants of Health and Primary Health Care in controlling COVID-19 in Belém

Abstract

This study aims to reflect on the Social Determinants of Health in the city of Belém (PA) and the performance of Primary Health Care in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. From the use of secondary data and the characterization of the municipality, it was possible to reflect on the aspects of housing, basic sanitation and income of the population in the distribution of COVID-19 cases in the city. It was evidenced that social inequalities between Administrative Districts are predominant, however there was no elaboration of an action plan that considered the impacts of COVID-19 on populations in social vulnerability. When investigating the role of Primary Health Care in pandemic control, it is perceived that the low coverage of the Family Health Strategy combined with the disjointed actions between municipality and state may have contributed to the epidemiological worsening of COVID-19 in Belém. The contingency plan failed to implement forceful policies for the control of the disease, focusing on medicalization and hospital-centered actions for severe cases, while health units were underutilized, lacking to establish a coordinated flow of care for patients with COVID-19, a disease strongly linked to social inequities.

Keywords:
Coronavirus Infections; Social Determinants of Health; Epidemiology; Primary Health Care