Núcleo Disca

Disability and citizenship

Inclusion of people with disabilities in Chilean health policy: a policy analysis

Danae Rodríguez Gatta, Pamela Gutiérrez Monclus, Jane Wilbur, Johanna Hanefeld, Lena Morgon Banks and Hannah Kuper

Key points of interest:

  • Approximately 18% of the Chilean population has a disability. Despite having greater health needs, they face significant difficulties in accessing health services due to structural barriers in the health system.
  • Twelve health policies were analyzed using an analytical framework adapted for disability, and the presence of 21 core human rights concepts was evaluated. Although 92% of the policies mention human rights concepts related to disability, only 50% show clear policy commitments.
  • In addition, 15 national stakeholders were interviewed to assess perceptions on health policies.
  • The 15 interviewees identified three main reasons explaining the implementation challenges of disability-related health policies:
    1. Lack of financing;
    2. Inconsistent political approach to disability;
    3. Shortage of human resources.
  • It is crucial to improve both the design and implementation of disability-inclusive health policies to guarantee the right to health for people with disabilities and to comply with the human rights principles that should guide inclusive public health policy.

 

Note:

  • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
  • This article was published in English.

Rodríguez Gatta D, Rotenberg S, Allel K, Reichenberger V, Banks LM, Kuper H (2024). Inclusion of people with disabilities in Chilean health policy: a policy analysis. International Journal for Equality in Health, 23(174). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02259-4

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02259-4