As we approach the end of another year, it is common for us to dive into a period of reflection and anticipation for the future. End of year celebrations are usually a good opportunity to explore not only the details of our personal lives, but also the issues that affect us as a society. Obviously, health does not escape this.
Access to health services, which is fundamental to our well-being as humanity, is an essential part of contemporary discussions, especially if we note the glaring inequalities in different parts of the world. Here, in Brazil, while some celebrate and share moments of joy, others live under the weight of a huge question: “I'm sick. Will I be okay?”
From a global perspective, the situation is even more serious. The disparities in access are most evident if we compare the situation, for example, between a Nigerian boy and a British boy. In Nigeria, children often face significant barriers to accessing basic care. Constraints on health systems, lack of resources and adverse socio-economic conditions, resulting from centuries of colonialism, among others, contribute to a scenario in which quality medical care becomes a luxury. In European countries, despite having more robust health systems, there are still unique gaps and challenges that affect the population's ability to access health care, suggesting that even in “developed” countries – many quotes here – justice is not guaranteed. always.
Furthermore, it is worth discussing the health of the planet, which by the way includes non-human beings. It is time to study and mitigate the impacts of our activities on the well-being of life-supporting ecosystems, keeping in mind that what we experience locally is connected to what is happening in the rest of the world.
Planetary Health encourages us to understand that the quality of a boy's life in Nigeria is intrinsically linked to that of a boy in France. We must question our individual choices – what we consume, what we do with our waste, and even who we vote for – because they affect even those geographically distant.
Together with our end-of-year celebrations, we can reaffirm our commitment to building a world in which the right to health is truly universal. May the approach of 2024 inspire us to sow and reap another future. May the earth bring greater equality, justice and dignity for all. Tomorrow morning, as Tom Zee said, boys and girls, we'll be happy.
(Zelette Zambon, President of the Brazilian Society of Family and Community Medicine)
