Page 33 - IJPS-9-2

International Journal of
Population Studies COVID-19 and intersectionality in Brazil

1. Introduction systemic inequities and socioeconomic disparities that
perpetuate these disparities in health outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of
infections and deaths worldwide, making it the most The impact of race/color on COVID-19 mortality
significant public health emergency of the past 100 years is likely to be connected more with structural issues in
(Rafael et al., 2020). Studies have shown that the challenges societies. A recent study conducted in the United States has
in controlling COVID-19 stem not only from the dynamics shed light on these findings, revealing that even in cities
of transmission and a lack of specific immunobiological with a lower proportion of African Americans, a significant
factors but also from its severity being associated with number of COVID-19 deaths occurred among individuals
clinical and demographic characteristics, for example, of black ethnicity. The suggested explanatory hypothesis
older adults and individuals with underlying chronic for these disparities revolves around barriers to accessing
conditions, such as lung, heart and kidney diseases, among health-care services and other structural obstacles, which
others, are particularly vulnerable to experiencing more may have contributed to the observed differences.
severe symptoms (Cen et al., 2020). These findings further reinforce the impact of structural
The health systems in low- and middle-income racism, as well as gender and social class inequalities,
countries, which may not be able to serve the entire which can be explained using intersectionality theories
population (particularly when their social inequalities (Bowleg, 2020). The intersectional perspective considers
are so extreme), have difficulty detecting and controlling the structuring influences of intersecting social, economic,
various diseases. Predictive models applied to Brazil and political terrains of race, ethnicity, gender, and class,
have shown that limited diagnostic testing can lead to which intensify oppression (Crenshaw, 2002). Race, social
an underestimation of the epidemic and hinder the class, and gender emerge as determinants of the health,
implementation of health measures based on accurate life, and death of population groups, with these factors
information (Mellan et al., 2020). potentially exacerbated in the current pandemic context.
With its vast geographical expanse, Brazil encompasses Accordingly, by utilizing access to COVID-19 tests
a rich tapestry of ethnicities and cultures. With a among patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome
population of 203.1 million, Brazil holds notable (SARS) as an analytical device, this study, without
political and economic significance in Latin America. necessarily exhausting all the analytical possibilities,
However, the country faces substantial challenges rooted examines the differences that produce and perpetuate
in ethnic, gender, and economic inequalities. It is worth inequalities through intersectionality. While recognizing
noting that 56.1% of the population self-identifies as the importance of intersectionality, this study will
black, encompassing individuals who identify as black specifically focus on exploring the role of race/color.
or of mixed race, while women comprise 51.3% of the
population. These disparities are further compounded Previous studies have also concentrated on
by regional variations. The Southern and Southeastern acknowledging and explaining the incidence and mortality
regions enjoy greater economic prosperity compared to rates in populations affected by COVID-19. However,
the Northeast, Midwest, and Northern regions, which are few studies have examined access to health services and
home to significant populations of black and indigenous consequently, COVID-19 diagnostic testing as an outcome
Brazilians (IBGE, 2022). measure. Neglecting to account for the population’s access
to COVID-19 tests may potentially lead to underestimation
On the other hand, Brazil is grappling with the of the associated estimates. The present study thus
profound impacts of structural racism on the daily lives examined the combined influence of race, gender, and
of black people and minority groups. This issue is further social class on the accessibility of COVID-19 diagnostic
exacerbated by the negligence of health authorities in testing among patients with SARS in Brazil.
implementing effective health policies. Recent studies have
shed light on the disproportionate risks faced by individuals 2. Data and methods
during the COVID-19 pandemic, with factors such as 2.1. Design and sample
gender, ethnicity, and social class playing significant roles
(Wenham et al., 2020). Notably, a recent study conducted A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing secondary
in Brazil highlights the correlation between ethnicity and analysis of the database from the Influenza Epidemiological
increased mortality rates from COVID-19, as well as a Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Influenza).
strong association with the most impoverished regions of The study focused on patients diagnosed with SARS
the country (Baqui et al., 2020). These findings underscore and covered the period from the 12 epidemiological
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the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the week (15 – 21 March) to the 25 week (from 14 to 20 June)
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Volume 9 Issue 2 (2023) 27 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0865