Núcleo Disca

Disability and citizenship

Archive

  1. Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women with Disabilities: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Chile

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    Points of interest:

    • This study analyzes how many women with disabilities in Chile undergo the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. This exam is used to detect cervical cancer.
    • Based on data from the 2022 CASEN survey, it was observed that women with disabilities are less likely to get a Pap test compared to women without disabilities.
    • Women aged 35 to 64, who are married, have completed secondary or higher education, live in rural areas, and are receiving medical treatment are more likely to undergo the exam.
    • On the other hand, women who are single, not working, or who attended special education are less likely to have the exam.
    • The study reveals that even though the Pap test is free in many cases, barriers still exist, such as lack of information, low health education, and negative experiences with the healthcare system.
    • The study highlights the need for inclusive public policies that improve access to preventive exams for women with disabilities.

     

    Notes:

    • 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 originally published in English.

  2. Discapacidad en Chile: una introducción [Disability in Chile: an introduction]

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    Disability in Chile: An Introduction (The book is only published in Spanish)

    “Disability in Chile: An Introduction” offers a comprehensive analysis of the physical, social, and attitudinal barriers faced by people with disabilities, while promoting a shift towards a human rights-based approach. This book aims to change the paradigm of disability in Chile, placing the issue at the center of public discourse from a social and human rights perspective.

    Throughout its 10 chapters, it examines how people with disabilities face significant barriers to participating in society, from education and employment to family life, politics, and access to justice.

    The text is not limited to a single disability but addresses a wide range of experiences, using a general and inclusive approach. Moreover, the authors, many of whom have direct experience with disability, provide evidence-based analyses and propose solutions to eliminate barriers that prevent full inclusion.

    The book brings together contributions from leading experts and is aimed at a wide audience, including academics, people with disabilities, professionals in the field, family members, and anyone interested in social justice and inclusion.

    How to Access the Book:

    Discapacidad en Chile: una introducción

  3. Baby MICARE Manual de Intervención para Profesionales [Baby MICARE: Intervention Manual for Professionals]

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    Points of interest:

    • Baby MICARE is a free program that helps professionals work with families of children with Down syndrome, from birth to 3 years old.
    • The program is based on scientific evidence and includes a step-by-step guide for implementation. Its goal is to improve interactions between caregivers and children, supporting their development and autonomy.
    • The program includes 10 sessions, focused on practicing skills through play and daily routines.
    • Any health or education professional can use the program, as the manual explains each step clearly.
    • The program also strengthens sensitivity, empathy, and respect for the child’s initiative during play.
    • Baby MICARE was created based on research funded by Fondecyt Regular 1221400, and it takes into account the characteristics and needs of families in Chile.

     

    Notes:

    • 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 originally published in English.

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

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    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.

     

    Notes:

    • 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.

  5. ‘Five rungs down’: encounters between disabled parents and the medical institution

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    Points of interest:

    • We analyzed short stories where disabled parents share how they are treated by health personnel (for example, doctors and nurses).
    • Disabled parents say that health personnel do not see them and do not believe they can do things.
    • In these stories, health personnel pay more attention to the parent’s disability than to the child who needs medical attention.
    • Health personnel understand disability as something that limits a person. This can make it difficult for parents and children to get the help they need.
    • Disabled parents look for ways to deal with the way health personnel treat them and to ensure that their children receive care from the health staff.

     

    Notes:

    • This summary was made by Núcleo Milenio DISCA, and was based exclusively on the publication. It cannot be used for citations and references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  6. Gyneco-obstetric violence and its impact on the mental health of women with disabilities: a case study in Chile

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    Points of interest:

    • The central theme of the article is the analysis of obstetric violence experiences of women with disabilities in Chile.
    • The study was done by conducting in-depth interviews, and analyzing social media and shadow or alternative reports. These types of reports refer to reports built by civil society organizations. Thus, these reports are used to complement those that governments build and review whether they are complying with human rights standards in the country.
    • Data from the study show that women’s sexual and reproductive rights are violated in the Chilean health system.
    • Interviews show that obstetric violence has many ways of expressing itself. Some of these forms are forced sterilization and stigma towards women’s mental health.
    • One way to start a conversation about obstetric violence is in common spaces. So that women can share their experiences with other women who have been through similar situations.
    • It is very important that health-care teams know how to meet the needs of people with disabilities. This serves to prevent cases of obstetric violence in women with disabilities.

    Notes:

    • The following summary was made by Núcleo Milenio DISCA, and was based exclusively on the publication. Therefore, it cannot be used for citations and references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  7. Haitianizacion de la migración: La falta de apego de mujeres haitianas en el discurso médico de la ciudad de Rancagua, Chile [Haitianization of Migration: The Lack of Attachment of Haitian Women in the Medical Discourse of the City of Rancagua, Chile]

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    Points of interest:

    • The objective of this article is to analyze the narratives of medical professionals in the city of Rancagua (capital of the O’Higgins Region, central Chile), about the reproductive health/motherhood of Haitian women.
    • Haitian women face more obstacles to receiving good medical care: there are no translators, there is a lack of information, and cultural differences are not respected.
    • Being a mother and a migrant is difficult. Many times, these women are judged for not fitting the image of a “good mother” according to what is expected in Chile. This puts them in an unfair position and their way of interacting with their babies is questioned.
    • Doctors in Rancagua say that Haitian women do not show enough affection to their babies. This was called “lack of attachment” in the research.
    • Doctors compare Haitian mothers with other migrant mothers and say that they do not care for their children in the same way. This creates mistrust toward them.
    • The study shows that Haitian women are discriminated against for being Black. Medical staff see them as different, inferior, or “less civilized.”
    • Racist ideas influence how these women are treated. Negative images are built that affect their access to healthcare and that of their children.
    • More births, same problems. Although the number of Haitian women giving birth in Rancagua has increased, the health system has not changed or adapted to serve them better.
    • Importance of the intercultural approach. The study says a change is necessary. Health care needs to understand and respect different cultures and ways of being a mother.

     

    Notes:

    • 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 originally published in English and Spanish.

  8. Health care reforms and policies from a disability-rights perspective

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    Summary of chapter:

    People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged social groups, as they experience higher levels of poverty, lower literacy rates, higher unemployment rates, multiple discrimination, and more barriers to accessing health services, compared to the general population.

    In the current pandemic context, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected due to environmental, institutional, and information access barriers, which are exacerbated by the measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to combat the pandemic have intensified health inequities and created new vulnerabilities for this population group.

    This chapter focuses on the principles of non-discrimination, inclusivity, continuity, relevance, and equity in both health reforms and public policies related to this area, from a disability perspective. The case of Chile is used to investigate whether these reforms and policies promote equitable access to and use of health services for people with disabilities, and how they are implemented. This topic is particularly important given that the country is in the process of amending its constitution, including the articles concerning the health system.

    While people with disabilities are often overlooked in research on access to health, it is imperative to promote inclusive health policies in order to reduce the vulnerability index of this group, especially in a scenario of economic instability and health emergencies.

     

    Notes:

  9. Access to general health care among people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review of quantitative research

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    Summary:

    In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), there are 85 million people with disabilities (PwD). They often experience barriers accessing healthcare and die, on average, 10-20 years earlier than those without disabilities. This study aimed to systematically review the quantitative literature on access to general healthcare among PwD, compared to those without disabilities, in LAC. A systematic review and narrative synthesis was conducted. We searched in EMBASE, MEDLINE, LILACS, MedCarib, PsycINFO, SciELO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Eligible articles were peer-reviewed, published between January 2000 and April 2023, and compared healthcare access (utilization, coverage, quality, affordability) between PwD and without disabilities in LAC. The search retrieved 16,538 records and 30 studies were included, most of which had a medium or high risk of bias (n = 23; 76%). Overall, the studies indicated that PwD use healthcare services more than those without disabilities. Some evidence indicated that women with disabilities were less likely to have received cancer screening. Limited evidence showed that health services afford-ability and quality were lower among PwD. In LAC, PwD appear to experience health inequities, although large gaps exist in the current evidence. Harmonization of disability and health access data collection is urgently needed to address this issue.

    Notes:

    • The following summary was made by Núcleo Milenio DISCA, and was based exclusively on the publication. Therefore, it cannot be used for citations and references.
    • This article was originally published in English.