OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Brazil 2021
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In the 30 years since the inception of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, or SUS), Brazil has reduced health inequalities, and improved coverage and access to health care. However, mobilising sufficient financing for the universal health coverage mandate of SUS has been a constant challenge, not helped by persistent inefficiencies in the use of resources in the Brazilian health system. Demographic and epidemiological changes, rising expectations from society, and the emerging needs of a post-COVID‑19 recovery period mean that continued adjustments and reforms are needed to ensure the sustainability of the health system. This review uses internationally recognised indicators and policy frameworks to examine the performance of Brazilian health system. The report points to key actions that Brazil should consider prioritising in the coming years to strengthen health system performance, especially improving efficiency and sustainability of financing, upgrading its health data infrastructure to leverage a digital transformation, and addressing major population risk factors such as overweight and harmful alcohol consumption. A companion publication with a review of primary health care in Brazil further examines the key role of primary health care to improve the performance of the Brazilian health system.
Also available in: Portuguese
Health data infrastructure and information system in Brazil
Brazil has launched an ambitious digital health strategy to leverage the potential of digital health data. Remarkably, the country already generates a large amount of digital health data within key national health datasets, but it lags behind OECD countries in data availability, reporting, governance and integration. An objective‑oriented roadmap should include guidelines such as strengthening data governance and accountability, improving data collection and data comparability, and supporting evidence‑based policy design with real time, linked, and inclusive health data. Health information infrastructure in Brazil could also be enhanced by fuller participation in the international benchmarking initiatives, such as the OECD’s System of Health Accounts or Health Care Quality Indicators.
Also available in: Portuguese
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