Determinantes sociais da saúde: o instituído constitucional no Sistema Único de Saúde

Objective: To understand the relationship between what the Brazilian Constitution established about the social determinants of health and urban life experiences in a territory of social vulnerability. Methods: It was based on a qualitative approach, using focus group and semi-structured interview, applied to 45 participants. Content analysis was carried out, thus enabling the categorization of data with use of the thematic analysis technique. Results: The results showed the experiences of the participants in the territory with insufficient supply of services that determine the health of the population, pointing out relevant challenges such as low coverage in Primary Health Care and urban violence. The search for health care quality in the Unified Health System was presented as a resistance strategy. It was pointed out the need for appreciation in the value of the territory as a locus of care for the individuals, with intersectorial actions aimed at promoting the health of the population. Conclusion: The study recognizes specificities of the social determinants in the health of populations presenting life conditions permeated by inequities and exposes subsidies for elaboration of measures that contribute to overcoming such conditions, in order to generate social equity.