Between connections and inequalities: women and the challenges of digital health in Brazil

Resumo

This study examines gender inequalities in access to public healthcare amid digitalization in Brazil. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines 2025 ICT Households Survey data with 50 interviews with female SUS users and public managers. Women had higher odds than men of seeking health information (29%) and accessing public health services online (45%), but 20% lower odds of completing services entirely online. Education, age, income, and race also shaped outcomes. Interviews highlighted digital literacy, meaningful connectivity, caregiving, support networks, and the need to integrate digital and in-person channels. The findings show that digital engagement does not necessarily translate into effective access. An intersectional perspective reveals how digital health benefits depend on users’ circumstances and structural inequalities, underscoring the need for equitable policies that extend beyond technological adoption.