Women's Health in the SUS: Challenges in Access and Equity

Women's health is a strategic area for Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), grounded in the principles of universality, comprehensiveness, and equity. The National Policy for Comprehensive Women's Health Care (PNAISM), established in 2004, broadened the focus of women's health to include issues such as violence, mental health, and aging. However, its implementation still faces significant challenges. Structural, socioeconomic, and racial inequalities continue to hinder access and compromise the quality of care, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and socioeconomically vulnerable women. This essay critically analyzes these disparities through the lens of intersectionality, considering how gender, race, class, and other identities intersect to influence health outcomes. It highlights the need for targeted public policies, professional training, improved governance, and intersectoral articulation to ensure equitable and comprehensive care. Despite advances such as the Rede Cegonha and expanded contraceptive access, barriers remain due to fragmented services, insufficient funding, and limited institutional sensitivity. The study emphasizes that only coordinated actions aligned with social realities can fulfill the constitutional right to health for all Brazilian women.