Title : Racial disparities in pediatric pneumonia in Brazil: The role of structural racism forging inequalities in acess to vaccines
Abstract:
Introduction: In Brazil, the 10-valent and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccines are available free of charge and are the most common pneumococcal vaccines administered. These vaccines play a key role in preventing severe bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, despite their availability, equitable access remains a challenge. Objectives: To analyze the epidemiology of pneumonia hospitalizations in children aged 0 to 4 in Rio de Janeiro, with a focus on racial differences. Methods: Hospitalization data from 2008 to 2023 were collected from the Unified Health System’s/Brazil (SUS/Brazil) database. Filters included race/ethnicity, age, individual years, and monthly and yearly hospitalization counts. Statistical analyses were performed using RStudio and PyCharm to identify trends and assess racial disparities. Results: In 2023, Black infants under 12 months made up approximately 64% of pneumonia hospitalizations, with an incidence rate of 30.32 per 10,000. In contrast, white children had an incidence rate of 6.05 per 10,000. This represents a 5 to 6 times higher burden among black children. Conclusion: In peripheral capitalist countries like Brazil where race and class intersect to shape access to resources stark health inequalities persist. The disproportionate burden of pneumonia among black children highlights how systemic racism and economic marginalization influence health outcomes. Addressing these disparities goes beyond expanding medical services—it requires confronting the social and economic structures that sustain inequities in access, illness, and survival.
