BARRIERS TO ACCESSING THE UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM

CHALLENGES FACED BY TRANSVESTITES AND TRANS PEOPLE

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil is the country that has killed the most transvestites and trans people in the last fifteen years. In addition, rights violations are committed when these people seek the most diverse public policies, including those in the health sector. Objective: To investigate, in Brazilian literature, barriers to access to public health services faced by transvestites and trans people in Brazil, as well as to understand the effects caused in their lives when they do not access the Unified Health System (SUS) services.  Method: This research was carried out based on an integrative literature review with articles published from 2015 up to 2023. Data analysis was performed through content analysis. Results: Thirteen articles were analyzed. The categories identified in the analysis dealt with access barriers and the effects caused by these barriers. Both demonstrated the negative impacts caused by a series of factors (geographic, structural, technical, political and social) that affect the lives of trans people and transvestites. Conclusion: The lack of access affects the basic principles of the SUS, since transvestites and trans people experience difficulties in seeking and accessing their health rights. The review showed that access is generally marked by exclusion and social isolation; impacts on mental health; transphobia; negative view of the SUS; discontinuity of care and individual responsibility for health monitoring. In view of this, the praxis of health professionals needs to be guided by an ethical-political project.