Right to health: A concept proposal for the operationalization of qualitative research

Abstract

Since 1988, the right to health has been the focus of research in health and law, under distinct perspectives and approaches. This study aims to propose a concept on the theme, considering the historical viewpoint and its conceptual evolution to contribute to the operationalization of qualitative research. By consulting the technical and scientific literature on the theme, starting with its regulation in the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 until 2015, and using the descriptor "right to health" and the qualifier "history" to list the scientific articles and identify the perspectives studies. Four main aspects emerged from the reading of the selected articles: sociopolitical, legislative, bioethical and specific health demands that guided the discussion and elaboration of the concept right to health. It can be said that the definition of right to health demands a historical, cultural, political, economic and social framework and depends: on its regulatory organization, on its nature (individual and collective), on the moral responsibility and the acknowledgement of its enforceability.