Territory, Violence, and Care: Public Health in Contexts of Extreme Vulnerability

This article examines the interconnections between territory, violence, and care, analyzing how extreme social vulnerability shapes health conditions, access to services, and the organization of public health responses. From a critical public health perspective, the text argues that territory is not merely a geographic space, but a socially produced arena marked by power relations, structural inequalities, and historical processes of exclusion. Violence—whether interpersonal, institutional, or structural—is treated as a central determinant of health, profoundly affecting morbidity, mortality, mental health, and trust in public institutions. Through a theoretical academic essay, the article explores how health systems operate within territories characterized by poverty, precarious housing, armed conflict, and state absence, highlighting both the limits and possibilities of care in such contexts. The discussion emphasizes the role of primary health care, community-based strategies, and intersectoral policies in mitigating harm and fostering resilience. Finally, the article reflects on the ethical and political challenges of providing care in violent and marginalized territories, arguing that public health must move beyond biomedical interventions to engage with social justice, human rights, and territorial equity as foundational principles.