IMPACT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ON THE REDUCTION OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR AMBULATORY CARE SENSITIVE CONDITIONS IN THE BRAZILIAN UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM.

Abstract

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the structural axis of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), responsible for health promotion, disease prevention, early diagnosis, and management of chronic conditions. One of the main indicators used to assess the effectiveness of PHC is hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC), which can be reduced through accessible and resolutive primary care services. This article aims to analyze the evolution of hospitalizations for ACSC in Brazil, discussing their relationship with public policies aimed at strengthening Primary Health Care, especially the Family Health Strategy. This is a descriptive study based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System of SUS (SIH/SUS), available through DATASUS. The results indicate a downward trend in ACSC hospitalizations during periods of greater PHC coverage, highlighting the strategic role of public policies focused on primary care in rationalizing hospital service use and improving health system efficiency. It is concluded that strengthening PHC is an essential public policy for the sustainability of SUS and for reducing health inequalities.