The National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population: implementation, awareness and socioeconomic aspects from the perspective of this ethnic group

The scope of the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population is to ensure equitable health care to this population. This policy is to compensate for the discrimination suffered by this ethnic group throughout the history of Brazil. The black population presents higher social and economic vulnerability, leading to shorter life expectancy and an increased susceptibility to diseases. The objective of the study is to investigate the black population's knowledge about this policy, its potential benefits and the difficulties of this population regarding access to health. It involves cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive research. Structured interviews were conducted with 391 black people in Juiz de Fora. The sample was structured according to race (black and brown). Around 90% of the sample reported not knowing the existence of a health policy for the black population, and 53% stated that this policy could enhance racial discrimination. Having completed primary education and lower income was positively associated with higher discrimination in health care. Most of the sample didn't know the existence of the PNSIPN, but was in favor of its goals, despite the possibility that it can reinforce the legacy of Brazilian racial discrimination.