The International Center for Equity in Health at the Federal University of Pelotas (ICEH/UFPel), in partnership with Umane, has launched a special page within Brazil’s Public Health Observatory. The initiative aims to expand public access to high-quality information on health inequalities in the country through timely, evidence-based analyses presented in clear and accessible language.

Rather than serving as a traditional data repository, the new page translates complex scientific evidence into practical knowledge for health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the general public. The goal is to foster more informed discussions on health equity and support the development of fairer, more effective public policies.

“This platform is part of our vision for an equity-focused observatory that goes beyond publishing indicators. Instead, we emphasize timely analyses of key issues, presented in a way that is understandable to the broader public,” says ICEH coordinator Fernando Wehrmeister.

The page debuts with two in-depth studies: one on sexual violence against girls and access to prenatal care among adolescents, and another on Brazil’s persistently high rates of adolescent motherhood. Between 2020 and 2022, the country recorded an average of over 11,000 births per year resulting from sexual violence against girls under 14. In the same period, more than one million births were to adolescent mothers.

Both studies were developed by ICEH using innovative analyses of Brazil’s national health information systems. The research is supported by Umane, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The findings highlight entrenched patterns of inequality and underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring to uphold the right to health for all—especially the most vulnerable.

Explore the ICEH special page at the Public Health Observatory website