ANALYSIS OF THE HOSPITAL MORBIDITY RATE DUE TO ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC DISEASES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON OBESITY IN THE BRAZILIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM (SUS) IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ: THE CONTEXT OF GENDER AND RACIAL INEQUALITIES

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the hospital morbidity rate due to endocrine and metabolic diseases, with an emphasis on obesity, among women residing in the state of Paraná, within the context of inequalities related to gender and race/color. The study employed a quantitative, descriptive, and docum entary approach, using data extracted from DATASUS/TABNET covering the years 2015 to 2024. Only hospitalizations of women from Paraná were selected, categorized by age group, race/color, municipality, and health macro-region. The results showed a predominance of hospitalizations among white women in the Eastern macro-region, particularly in the 30–39 age group. However, these findings contrast with population studies indicating a higher prevalence of obesity among Black women and those with lower educational levels, suggesting structural barriers to healthcare access and underreporting of race/color in information systems. A concentration of records was also observed in municipalities with reference hospitals, such as Curitiba and Campina Grande do Sul. It is concluded that urgent intersectoral, multiprofessional, and equitable public policies are needed, taking into account the social determinants of health, with a focus on prevention, treatment, and proper documentation of obesity among the female population of Paraná.