Abstract
Inequality is a global, structural problem that is particularly marked in the world's poorest countries. The covid-19 pandemic exacerbated this historic problem in Latin America and the Caribbean and deepened uncertainties in relation to basic human needs. This study presents an overview of the subject on the basis of official reports from international agencies (PAHO, WHO, ECLAC) between 2019 and 2022 and discusses some paths for the training of health professionals in Brazil. It also investigates how health practices could be changed to ensure greater social protection for vulnerable populations, based on the proposals of Paulo Freire and Edgar Morin, which highlight current social and health problems.