Health and Social Care Inequalities: The Impact of COVID-19 on People Experiencing Homelessness in Brazil

Nilza Rogéria de Andrade Nunes, Andréa Rodriguez and Giovanna Bueno Cinacchi
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Nilza Rogéria de Andrade Nunes: Social Work Department, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Marquês de São Vicente Street, 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-041, Brazil
Andréa Rodriguez: School of Dentistry, University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee DD1 4 HN, UK
Giovanna Bueno Cinacchi: Social Work School, Campus do Gragoatá, Federal Fluminense University, Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis Street, Bloco E, Niterói 24210-201, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: This article aims to reflect on the challenges affecting people experiencing homelessness in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, due the COVID-19 pandemic. Participatory research was carried out to identify data related to sociodemographic profile; strategies for survival; health and social care support; and access to services during the pandemic. The research methodology was co-designed with NGOs and people with lived experience of homelessness and involved conducting semi-structured questionnaires with 304 participants in 2020. The results highlighted the worsening of the situation of extreme vulnerability and poverty already experienced by this population before the pandemic. Key strategies led by Third Sector organizations to reduce the spread of the virus, to minimize the financial impact of lockdown, and to increase emotional support and information on COVID-19 were presented. The conclusions show the complexity of issues affecting these groups and the need for urgent response from public policies and Government support to guarantee their rights, dignity, and respect during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: homelessness; COVID-19; health inequalities; social care; participatory research; Brazil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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