79 International immigrant health access and social protection in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil - International immigrant health access and social protection - Abstract Book

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

Study investigates how COVID-19 intersected with social vulnerability to shape international migrants’ and refugees’ health access and social protection needs in Brazil. Qualitative fieldwork combined transnational migrations and anthropology, using in-depth interviews and participant observation across six Brazilian states during 2022–2023. Findings show a complex pandemic panorama: the Unified Health System, social protection, civil society organizations, and migrants’ solidarity networks were decisive, while gender, skin color, and social status influenced living conditions and service access. Conclusions call for policies addressing work, housing, and social-community network strengthening.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Methods

Study sites and participants

Results

Health system and social protection roles

Factors shaping access

Conclusions

Policy and action priorities

2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi33 the consequences of the pandemic were more severe due to critical situations of social vulnerability. Methods: The qualitative research followed the interdisciplinary theoretical axis of transnational migrations and anthropology. Between the years 2022 and 2023, we conducted in-depth interviewsand participant observation with migrants and refugees living in six Brazilian states: in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (SP), in the cities of Florianpolis and Chapec (SC), Uberla^ndia (MG), Londrina (PR), Cuiabá and Várzea Grande (MT) and Manaus (AM) . In the field research, in each state, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 migrants (men and women), totaling 84 international migrants (with and without refugee status) from Venezuela, Haiti, Syria, Colombia, Bolivia, and Angola. Results: The results provided a detailed and complex panorama of the situation of immigrants during the pandemic, highlighting the role of the Unified Health System and the increased vulnerability of these populations due to factors already widely discussed in the literature on health and migration. Gender, skin color, and social status also affected their living conditions, access to health, and social protection. Despite the difficulties and disinformation, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), the social protection system, the role of civil society organizations, and migrants were essential for access to services and benefits. It also highlights, as a result, the formation of solidarity networks promoted by NGOs and by the people themselves. Conclusions: The research highlights the need for policies and actions related to work, housing, strengthening social and community networks, and strengthening socio-political spaces that value the protagonism of international migrants and human rights. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.092 79 International immigrant health access and social protection in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil Denise Martin1, Mariá Sampaio1, Nicolas Neves1, Alexandra Almeida1, Daniel Granada1 1Universidade Federal De São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil OP 9: Health Services 1, B210 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 15:45 - 16:45 Aims: This research aims to identify the problems related to the health access and social protection of international migrants and refugees regarding their needs during the pandemic COVID19 in Brazil. Considering the social and territorial inequalities in Brazil,

FAQs

What is the study’s main aim regarding migrants in Brazil during COVID-19?

To identify problems related to health access and social protection for international migrants and refugees in relation to their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

How was the qualitative research conducted?

It used an interdisciplinary framework combining transnational migrations and anthropology, with in-depth interviews and participant observation from 2022 to 2023 across six Brazilian states.

What factors affected living conditions and access to health and social protection?

Gender, skin color, and social status influenced migrants’ living conditions, access to health services, and social protection.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang