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National epidemiological overview of LGBTQIAPN+ health inequalities in Brazil: insights from public datasets to guide primary care policies

Kaike Felix Dos REIS and Marcio Cristiano DE MELO

LGBTQIAPN+ people in Brazil experience persistent structural vulnerabilities shaped by discrimination, stigma, and gaps in health-system responsiveness. These factors contribute to inequities in access, continuity of care, and protection from violence within the Unified Health System (SUS). Despite regulatory advances, national surveillance systems still present limited and fragmented indicators on gender and sexual minorities, restricting the ability of primary care teams to recognize patterns of vulnerability and plan inclusive actions.To analyze demographic, social, health-related, and human rights indicators of LGBTQIAPN+ populations in Brazil using national datasets, identifying spatial patterns that may inform primary care strategies.A descriptive quantitative study was conducted using secondary, anonymized, publicly accessible data from the National Ombudsman for Human Rights (Disque 100) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), including the 2022 Census and the National Health Survey. Analyses examined temporal trends, spatial distribution of reports, and demographic and social profiles of affected groups. Indicators included notifications of rights violations, characteristics of victims and suspects, sociodemographic patterns, and health-service utilization. Because all datasets are public, ethics approval was not required under Brazilian Resolution 510/2016.Across datasets, LGBTQIAPN+ individuals—particularly transgender people, gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals—accounted for thousands of reported violence cases despite demographic minority status. In 2024, 122 murders of trans people were recorded, mainly involving travestis and trans women. Reports frequently listed LGBTQIAPN+ individuals as both victims and suspects. Health indicators showed low reporting and limited follow-up within SUS. Hospitalizations for gender-affirming procedures increased, and marriage data concentrated among younger adults.The findings reveal persistent structural inequality affecting LGBTQIAPN+ populations in Brazil, marked by high violence, weak health-system responses, and insufficient surveillance. Underreporting reflects stigma, limited professional training, and lack of standardized indicators on sexual orientation and gender identity. These gaps hinder care and demand targeted interventions in the SUS.The study increases visibility of LGBTQIAPN+ health needs and reveals surveillance gaps that hinder equitable, person-centered primary care. Results stress the need for data collection, monitoring of violence, and inclusive care pathways for gender-affirming care, mental health, and violence prevention. Training and policies are key to reducing inequalities in SUS.