Public Policy for Human Capital: Fostering Sustainable Equity in Disadvantaged Communities

Alejandro Ticona Machaca (), Dominga Micaela Cano Ccoa, Félix Henry Gutiérrez Castillo, Fredy Quispe Gomez, Martín Arroyo Beltrán, Marisol Gonzaga Zirena Cano, Vladimir Sánchez-Chávez-Arroyo, Cyntia Primitiva Manrique Chavez, Abel Romualdo Rosario, Willy Andrés Adauto-Medina and Marleny Montes Salcedo
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Alejandro Ticona Machaca: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Administrative and Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
Dominga Micaela Cano Ccoa: Professional School of Textile and Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Process Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Juliaca, Juliaca 21101, Peru
Félix Henry Gutiérrez Castillo: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Administrative and Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
Fredy Quispe Gomez: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Administrative and Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
Martín Arroyo Beltrán: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Administrative and Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
Marisol Gonzaga Zirena Cano: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Administrative and Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
Vladimir Sánchez-Chávez-Arroyo: Academic-Professional School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad César Vallejo, Trujillo 13001, Peru
Cyntia Primitiva Manrique Chavez: Professional School of Management, Faculty of Business Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Cañete, San Vicente de Cañete 15701, Peru
Abel Romualdo Rosario: School of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, Pasco 19001, Peru
Willy Andrés Adauto-Medina: Faculty of Engineering and Management, Universidad Nacional Tecnológica de Lima Sur, Lima 15816, Peru
Marleny Montes Salcedo: Professional School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana Unión, Juliaca 21100, Peru

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-30

Abstract: This study presents new empirical findings on the multidimensional barriers that disadvantaged communities must overcome to equitably access quality education and health services. Equitable access to education and health services in disadvantaged communities requires comprehensive public policies that address multidimensional barriers. Through an innovative econometric analysis of primary data collected in 50 rural communities, the most influential factors hindering access to these basic services are identified. This article discusses the most effective public policy strategies for improving access to and the quality of education and health services in disadvantaged communities, and outlines how to implement them sustainably and equitably. The results reveal that a lack of adequate infrastructure, a shortage of qualified personnel, and socioeconomic and cultural barriers are the main obstacles. Based on these findings, a new comprehensive intervention model is proposed, which simultaneously addresses these interconnected barriers. These strategies contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), by addressing critical barriers to equitable access to essential health and education services in marginalized communities. These strategies are based on theories that highlight the importance of investing in education and health for human and economic development, and support the fact that investments in these sectors boost productivity, income, well-being, and equity. The study concludes with practical and applicable recommendations for public policymakers, emphasizing the importance of adapting them to the local context and ensuring the active participation of the beneficiary communities.

Keywords: equity; sustainability; education; health; public policies; human development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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