Brazil's benign breast disease care profile and geospatial analysis.

BACKGROUND

We conducted a quantitative and geospatial analysis of coverage and displacement for the diagnosis and treatment of benign breast illnesses in Brazil's Unified Health System between 2008 and 2019. The results showed that treatment coverage and female displacement differed by region. The North and Midwest have different coverage and displacement rates compared with the other three major regions of the country. These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing gaps in healthcare service access, irrespective of their source, by enhancing the service capacity of existing institutions and ensuring that the healthcare system appropriately allocates resources.

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively and geospatially analyze coverage and displacement for the diagnosis and treatment of benign breast diseases in the Brazilian Unified Health System between 2008 and 2019.

METHODS

Datasets from the Brazilian Ministry of Health were used to survey medical care for benign breast diseases in Brazil from 2008 to 2019. These data allowed for the determination of benign breast disease treatments, diagnoses, and patient displacement in each region of the country.

RESULTS

Most outpatient consultations were for diagnostic procedures. Approximately 4 million diagnostic procedures and 360,000 hospitalizations for treatment, of which 97% were surgeries, were conducted in this 12-year period. During this period, medical care for benign breast diseases cost more than USD 65 million. The treatment coverage and displacement rates of the female population differed by country region, with the North and Midwest showing patterns different from those of the other three major regions.

CONCLUSION

Addressing disparities in healthcare service access, regardless of their source, by increasing the service capacity of existing facilities and ensuring correct resource allocation by the healthcare system is crucial.

BACKGROUND

■ Most outpatient consultations comprised diagnostic procedures.

BACKGROUND

■ In the past 12 years, medical care for benign breast diseases has cost >USD 65 million.

BACKGROUND

■ Women from North and Midwest Brazil had higher diagnosis and treatment displacement rates.