[Palliative care: social and territorial inequalities].

Abstract

Palliative care: SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL. INEQUALITIES.Palliative care can be provided wherever the patient lives or receives care, considering its environment, in coordination with healthcare professionals, social and medico-social professionals. The way in which palliative care is provided varies from one country to another, depending on resources, cultural values, healthcare systems and policies of each country. There are disparities in access, particularly in rural areas and for vulnerable populations. One of the main limitations to the development of palliative care, after budgetary issues, is the insufficient development of a professional workforce specializing in palliative care. The overseas territories are in a specific situation, with populations suffering from a combination of social and territorial health inequalities. This approach to frailty makes it possible to anticipate and plan for palliative care to meet the future patients' needs. French citizens living in extreme poverty, protected persons, people with psychiatric disorders, elderly, people with disabilities and anyone else with one or more vulnerabilities face situations where they cannot exercise all their rights. The national ten-year strategy on « palliative care, pain management and support at the end of life » places priorities to reducing all forms of inequalities in end-of-life journeys.