[Social inequality and health: Food (in)security management in primary health care in Spain].

Abstract

Equity is an unresolved issue on the Spanish healthcare agenda. This paper explores the importance that health professionals give to social determinants of health and the means they possess to address them. It also analyzes the relationship between food insecurity and increases in certain diseases. One of its objectives is to ascertain how increasing uncertainty is being addressed in primary healthcare services. We present a qualitative study carried out in six primary care centers in the cities of Reus and Tarragona between 2018 and 2019, involving 19 practitioners active in the areas of nursing, family practice, and social work. Results indicate that the lack of resources in primary care centers makes it difficult to integrate a social determinants of health approach, and thus to mitigate inequalities. Furthermore, a lack of structural actions diminishes the ability to respond to citizens' healthcare needs.