Exclusion, prejudice and the invisibility of homeless people at odds with the right to health

The aim of this article is to discuss exclusion, prejudice and the invisibility of homeless people at odds with the right to health. Using the grounded theory method and symbolic interactionism, the study was conducted with 36 participants living in municipalities in the midwest region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The findings reveal institutional exclusion of homeless people and patient prejudice against these people in health services. Furthermore, lack of planning of primary care actions jeopardizes timely comprehensive care and maintains exclusion. The study further underscores the critical role of social support networks in addressing the invisibility of these individuals and achieving greater resolution through intersectoral actions. It highlights that healthcare for people experiencing homelessness often arises from an exacerbation or illness, thus undermining the significance of intersectoral collaboration and jeopardizing the guarantee of equitable access to healthcare without prejudice.

Keywords
Ill-housed persons; Primary health care; Right to health