Desigualdades Étnico-Raciais na Saúde da População Negra no Brasil: Uma Revisão Integrativa

Vanessa Alves Sousa; Rayanne Ribeiro Costa; Lucas Lima Sousa; Adriano Martins Ferreira; Luciana Ramos Dias; Luciane Sousa Pessoa Cardoso; Sara Fiterman Lima

doi:10.5020/18061230.2026.16679

Authors

Vanessa Alves Sousa Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4634-6547
Rayanne Ribeiro Costa Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0532-1267
Lucas Lima Sousa Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0978-3021
Adriano Martins Ferreira Anhanguera College, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4762-9222
Luciana Ramos Dias Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4841-6584
Luciane Sousa Pessoa Cardoso Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7775-9304
Sara Fiterman Lima Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0015-3413

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2026.16679

Keywords:

Institutional Racism, Black Population Health, Health Inequities, Equity, Health Services

Abstract

Objective: To analyze and synthesize scientific evidence on ethnic-racial inequalities in health services in Brazil, with an emphasis on the impacts of racism on the health of the Black population. Method: This is a qualitative integrative literature review conducted in the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases. Brazilian studies published between 2019 and 2025 addressing ethnic-racial inequalities in health services with implications for the Black population were included. Duplicates, letters to the editor, and studies outside the scope or time frame were excluded. Results: The final sample included 12 studies. Structural and institutional racism negatively affected access, quality of care, health data production, and health outcomes among the Black population. Discriminatory practices, gaps in race/color data collection and professional training, and increased inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic were identified. Conclusion: Addressing racial inequalities in health requires strengthening and effectively implementing public policies, promoting anti-racist training for health professionals, reinforcing the Unified Health System, and actively advancing racial equity, grounded in anintersectional approach and guided by social justice.

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Author Biographies

Vanessa Alves Sousa, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Nursing undergraduate (Bachelor's degree) at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Pinheiro campus. Former scholarship holder in the outreach project Mãos que Cuidam (2022–2023). Former Director of Outreach for the Academic League of Nursing in Cardiology (LAEC, 2023–2024). Currently serves as Director of Research for the Academic League of Stomatherapy Nursing (LAEST). Scholarship recipient in the Education through Work for Health Program (PET-Saúde Equity, 2024–2025).

Rayanne Ribeiro Costa, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Medical student at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).

Lucas Lima Sousa, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Humanities – Philosophy at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).

Adriano Martins Ferreira, Anhanguera College, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Physical Therapist graduated from Anhanguera College – São Luís (2023). Currently serves as Coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Primary Care Team (eMulti) in the municipality of Presidente Sarney, Maranhão, and as a hospital physical therapist at Jackson Lago Regional Hospital in Pinheiro, Maranhão. Currently pursuing postgraduate specializations in Traumatological and Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy, Intensive Care Physical Therapy, and Geriatric Health.

Luciana Ramos Dias, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Piauí (2009), a Master's degree (2012) in Parasitology with a concentration in Entomology, and a Ph.D. (2016) in Sciences with a concentration in Entomology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Currently serves as a Public Health Veterinary Officer at the Municipal Health Secretariat of Codó, Maranhão; Tutor in the PET-Saúde Equity Program at UFMA, Pinheiro campus; and Medical Preceptor at Pitágoras College, Codó campus.

Luciane Sousa Pessoa Cardoso, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Associate Professor at the Federal University of Maranhão. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (2015), a Master's degree in Nursing (2019), and a Ph.D. in Public Health (2023) from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).

Sara Fiterman Lima, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Maranhão (1998). Specialist in Mental Health from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2002) and in Higher Education Teaching from CEUMA University (2005). Master's in Nursing from UFMA (2013). Ph.D. in Public Health from the Graduate Program in Public Health at UFMA (2018). Associate Professor (Class C) at UFMA. Faculty member of the Graduate Programs in Public Health and Nursing at UFMA. Tenured Nurse at the São Luís Municipal Health Secretariat (SEMUS), stationed at SAMU (Mobile Emergency Care Service). Member of the National Board of Evaluators of Sinaes - BASis (Ministry of Education). General Coordinator of the PET-Saúde Equity Project (2024–2026).