Invisibility of social vulnerability and social rights to a comprehensive health care in Chile

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of perception of invisibility of social vulnerability and its impact on the access to universal and specific services of the Comprehensive Childhood Protection System in Chile. Method: Cross-sectional study in 50 vulnerable dyads, who were registered in a family health care center (Metropolitan Region, Chile; 2012). After the informed consent, mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A correspondence analysis model was applied. Results: The invisibility of social vulnerability estimated for mothers (92.0%) and children (86.0%), and a better access was observed to universal services by children and to specific services by mothers. Conclusion: The invisibility of vulnerability limits the opportunities of social protection for disadvantaged groups. Therefore, public policy does not correct social inequalities, which deserve attention by the public health managers in Chile.