The importance of Primary Care for the health conditions of Homeless People in Brazil

UMA REVISÃO NARRATIVA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The lack of adequate housing affects the physical and mental health and life opportunities of the Homeless Population (HP) in Brazil, being associated with several biopsychosocial problems. The high vulnerability of this population requires a focus on interventions and research in Primary Health Care (PHC) to address their challenges. In this sense, the objective is to verify the importance of PHC to the health and living conditions of homeless people in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: It is configured as a narrative review of the literature carried out by searching for the descriptors “Primary Health Care” and “Homeless Persons” in the VHL and SciELO databases. Original studies, revisions and case reports published between 2017 and 2022 in the Portuguese language were included. RESULTS: 74 publications were found in the databases, 13 of which were relevant to the research. Nine studies were included in the final text, with reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Law 13.714. DISCUSSION: Homelessness in Brazil is marked by rights violations, social inequalities and state and academic negligence, affecting the health of HP. Difficulty accessing health services, stigmatization and prejudice contribute to their vulnerability. PHC, through actions such as “Consultórios na Rua” and “Centros POP”, plays a fundamental role in the promotion, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HP. Legislation, such as Law 13.714, seeks to guarantee care for homeless people in the context of the “Sistema Único de Saúde”, but stigmas persist. PHC aims to integrate PSR into the health system, promoting their citizenship and improving their living conditions. CONCLUSION: PHC, through actions such as “Consultórios na Rua” and “Centros POP”, plays a crucial role in improving the health and life opportunities of HP.