ON THE (IN)EQUALITY OF DEATH: IN SEARCH OF AUTONOMY AND DIGNITY AT THE END OF LIFE

Abstract

Does death make us equal? This article seeks to answer the proposed question by reviewing the theoretical debate around dignity at the end of life, considering the social determinants of health, which have an impact on inequality in access to palliative or supportive care. For this, the deductive method is used with bibliographic-documentary research of exploratory-descriptive character. It is concluded that there are two intrinsically related dimensions of a right to quality or dignity at the end of life, which would contemplate the civil-political right to autonomy and the socio-economic rights that ensure autonomy and unrestricted access to these services, as an ultimate attempt of equality.

Keywords

• death. social determinants of health
• inequality. human dignity.