ABSTRACT This essay examines human enhancement drugs – particularly anabolic-androgenic steroids – through the lens of public health theory from the Global South. It critiques prohibitionist policies, which criminalize users while disregarding social determinants, as well as extreme relativism, which reduces consumption to individual autonomy alone. In contrast, harm reduction emerges as an evidence-based, user-centered approach that rejects criminalization, upholds human rights, and provides contextualized health responses. By reframing anabolic-androgenic steroids as human enhancement drugs, the analysis promotes a less […]

ABSTRACT This essay presents a political-philosophical reflection on the need to reconstruct health practices in order to make them more effective and sensitive in identifying and responding to the needs of diverse individuals and populations. To this end, it draws on the experience of health sector reforms in Brazil and the development of the Brazilian Public Health System, focusing in particular on the relevance of three conceptual constructs associated with this process: comprehensiveness, vulnerability, and care. Inspired by philosophical hermeneutics […]

Highlights ■ Public hospitals in Brazil performed 37,741 hallux valgus surgery procedures between January 2008 and October 2024. ■ The study population consisted of 79.7% females, with the most common age group being 40-69 years (67.7%). The mean length of stay was 1.7 days. ■ The mean cost per patient was US$ 141.53. ■ The overall mortality count was nine, corresponding to a death rate of 0.024%. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to describe patient profiles and analyze costs, hospital […]

Highlights ■ More than 2 million procedures were analyzed in the public health system from 2019 to 2023. ■ A total of 13 types of procedures were performed across 7 different specialties. ■ A 35% reduction in the total number of surgeries was observed. ■ There was no recovery of surgeries postponed during the pandemic. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze changes in surgical volume across different specialties in Brazil before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive observational study […]

Highlights ■ Vendor Neutral Archive implementation has an return on investment of 5.63% in the first year and 10.12% after three years. ■ At least 11,500 exams are needed annually for a positive return on investment in the first year after implementation. ■ Vendor Neutral Archive enhances interoperability and efficiency by standardizing and centralizing image storage. ■ Scalability is key: higher adoption of Vendor Neutral Archive leads to greater financial and operational benefits. ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct an ex-ante cost-benefit […]

Highlights ■ The extract, transform, and load algorithm automates data extraction and updates in the PostgreSQL database. ■ The interactive dashboard enables detailed queries on establishments and professionals. ■ Results highlight medical doctor deficit in 22 cities and a shortage of community agents. ■ The tool can scale and assist managers in resource allocation for healthcare. ABSTRACT Objective: To develop a process (pipeline) for extracting, processing, and analyzing data from the National Registry of Health Establishments in the State of […]

Highlights ■ Most outpatient consultations comprised diagnostic procedures. ■ In the past 12 years, medical care for benign breast diseases has cost >USD 65 million. ■ Women from North and Midwest Brazil had higher diagnosis and treatment displacement rates. ABSTRACT Objective: To quantitatively and geospatially analyze coverage and displacement for the diagnosis and treatment of benign breast diseases in the Brazilian Unified Health System between 2008 and 2019. Methods: Datasets from the Brazilian Ministry of Health were used to survey […]

ABSTRACT Introduction Chronic kidney disease is a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function and considerably affects the lives of patients and their families. Its high incidence necessitates efficient public policies for prevention and treatment. However, policies for chronic kidney disease education and awareness are scarce. Objective To evaluate global public policies for the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease adopted in various regions, aiming to comprehend the differences between various models. Methods This integrative review followed PRISMA recommendations […]

Highlights Incorporation of secukinumab and ustekinumab was economically feasible. These drugs are options for those who do not respond to or have contraindications to etanercept. ABSTRACT Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of secukinumab and ustekinumab against moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a Brazilian pediatric population with access to public healthcare. Methods: A survey of immunobiological treatments registered for use against pediatric psoriasis at the National Health Surveillance Agency was conducted. These treatments were compared to the list […]

Highlights Forty-three percent of referrals from basic healthcare units to a specialized vascular surgical service were regarded as inappropriate. The main reasons for inappropriate referrals included study participants without an indication for surgery and those referred to the wrong specialty. A high proportion of inappropriate referrals resulted in the subutilization of highly complex services. Use of telemedicine will assist in reducing the rate of inappropriate referrals. ABSTRACT Objective: Consequently, in this study, we aimed to evaluate 1,203 cases of referral […]