IMPACT OF THE FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY ON REDUCING INFANT MORTALITY IN BRAZILIAN RURAL COMMUNITIES: ADVANCED ANALYSIS AND FUTURE PROPOSALS

The Family Health Strategy (FHS) is a core policy of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), playing a crucial role in reducing health inequalities in Brazil. This study evaluates the impact of the FHS on reducing infant mortality in rural communities between 2000 and 2020. Using data from DATASUS and advanced statistical analyses, a significant 25.4% reduction in infant mortality rates was observed in municipalities with high FHS coverage, compared to a 10.8% reduction in those with low coverage. The decline was more pronounced in post-neonatal mortality, highlighting the effectiveness of preventive interventions and home care. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and cultural barriers limit the full impact of the strategy. It is concluded that the FHS is essential for health equity and should be strengthened to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in remote areas.