Abstract
This study critically analyzes the effects of social protection policies on tuberculosis treatment and discusses perspectives for the implementation of comprehensive, sustainable care in Latin America. Based on the theory of social determinants of health, this article offers theory and reflection on the effects of social inequalities on adherence to treatment, showing that financial support, food security, and access to transportation are fundamental elements in reducing the impact of the disease on individuals and communities. In addition, the worsening of tuberculosis control indicators due to the COVID-19 pandemic is contextualized, highlighting the interruption of essential services, increased underreporting, and compromised treatment coverage. Latin American countries show progress in the implementation of social protection programs, but structural challenges such as poor intersectoral integration, unstable funding for public policies, and bureaucratic barriers to implementation limit their effectiveness in controlling tuberculosis. Furthermore, dependence on external government resources sometimes reveals the fragility of policies in contexts of political and economic instability. It follows that social protection must be a key pillar in the response to tuberculosis in Latin America, through permanent, intersectoral, sustainable actions. This proposal could help to support the goals of the End TB Strategy and those of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The elimination of tuberculosis in the region depends on strengthening primary care, political and social commitment, and the adoption of strategies aligned with global targets for equity and sustainable development.