Challenges and opportunities for access to Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AIMS: The marketing authorization of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in Brazil is recent. The features of these therapies impose specialized regulatory action and are consequently challenging for developers. The goal of this study was to identify the industry's experience in clinical development, marketing authorization and access to ATMPs through the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), from a regulatory perspective. METHODS: A survey containing structured questions was conducted among research participants who work at companies that commercialize ATMPs. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: We invited 15 foreign pharmaceutical companies, of which 10 agreed to participate. Overall, participants assessed that Brazil has a well-established regulatory system, especially the sanitary registration by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), which ensures the quality, safety, and efficacy of the products. The Agency's good interaction with the regulated sector, the harmonization of sanitary and ethical assessment systems with other countries, and the analysis time in the biosafety assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) stand out as positive in industry's evaluation. On the other hand, it is important to advance the pricing regulation for these products since Brazilian regulations do not establish specific criteria for ATMP. One of the biggest challenges is the difficulty for the SUS in reimbursing these very high-cost therapies, especially using current Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methods. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the increasing number of approvals of cell and gene therapies in Brazil in the coming years, a close dialogue between the industry and the public sector is recommended to advance regulatory improvements (pricing and HTA). Additionally, the construction of policies to promote the national Health Economic-Industrial Complex, based on a mission-oriented vision that encourages innovative models of financing, especially those that consider risk-sharing and co-financing technologies, will help provide the population with universal, equitable and sustainable access to ATMP in the SUS.

Direct costs for outpatient excess body weight treatment in Brazilian children and adolescents attending a public children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct costs of treating excess body weight in children and adolescents attending a public children's hospital. METHODS: This study analyzed the costs of the disease within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) for 2,221 patients with excess body weight using a microcosting approach. The costs included operational expenses, consultations, and laboratory and imaging tests obtained from medical records for the period from 2009 to 2019. Healthcare expenses were obtained from the Table of Procedures, Medications, Orthoses/Prostheses, and Special Materials of SUS and from the hospital's finance department. RESULTS: Medical consultations accounted for 50.6% (R$703,503.00) of the total cost (R$1,388,449.40) of treatment over the period investigated. The cost of treating excess body weight was 11.8 times higher for children aged 5-18 years compared to children aged 2-5 years over the same period. Additionally, the cost of treating obesity was approximately 4.0 and 6.3 times higher than the cost of treating overweight children aged 2-5 and 5-18 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: The average annual cost of treating excess body weight was R$138,845.00. Weight status and age influenced the cost of treating this disease, with higher costs being observed for individuals with obesity and children over 5 years of age. Additionally, the important deficit in reimbursement by SUS and the small number of other health professionals highlight the need for restructuring this treatment model to ensure its effectiveness, including a substantial increase in government investment.

Conferências Nacionais de Saúde: estudo sobre aderência de propostas de política de comunicação aos princípios de comunicação pública / National Health Conferences: study on adherence of proposals on communication policy to the principles of public communication / Conferencias Nacionales de Salud: estudio sobre la adhesión de las propuestas de política de comunicación a los principios de la comunicación pública

Este artigo apresenta resultados preliminares de uma investigação sobre a aderência de propostas de criação de uma política de comunicação aos princípios de comunicação pública no Sistema Único de Saúde. As proposições foram discutidas no âmbito das Conferências Nacionais de Saúde realizadas entre 2003 e 2019. O estudo abrangeu a avaliação de documentos e entrevistas em profundidade com fontes-chave com atuação no controle social e que participaram das conferências. Buscaram-se também subsídios teóricos que tratam das temáticas da comunicação pública e da comunicação em saúde para embasar a discussão sobre a elaboração de uma política de comunicação voltada para o SUS. Observa-se falta de ancoragem clara das propostas das conferências com relação aos princípios da comunicação pública, bem como a não adesão do governo federal à pauta, mesmo nas gestões afinadas com ideais democráticos, princípios de participação social e atuação no interesse público.

This article presents the preliminary results of an investigation into the adherence of the proposals to create a communication policy for the Unified Health System, according to the principles of public communication. Those proposals were held between 2003 and 2019 within the National Health Conferences scope. The study covered the evaluation of documents and in-depth interviews with key sources working in social control and who had participated in conferences. It also included theoretical subsidies that deal with the themes of public communication and communication and health to support the discussion on the creation of a communication policy aimed at the SUS. The results showed a lack of clear anchorage of the conference proposals in principles of public communication, and the non-adherence of the federal government to the agenda, even during governments aligned with democratic ideals, principles of social participation, and action on the public interest.

Este artículo presenta resultados preliminares de una investigación sobre la adhesión de las propuestas de creación de una política de comunicación del Sistema Único de Salud a los principios de la comunicación pública. Las proposiciones fueron discutidas en las Conferencias Nacionales de Salud, entre 2003 y 2019. El estudio abarcó la evaluación de documentos y entrevistas en profundidad con fuentes que trabajan en el control social y con participación en las conferencias. Se buscaron subsidios teóricos que tratan de los temas de comunicación pública y comunicación y salud para apoyar la discusión sobre la elaboración de una política de comunicación dirigida al SUS. Hay una falta de anclaje de las propuestas de la conferencia en principios de comunicación pública, así como la falta de adhesión del gobierno federal, incluso en gestiones en sintonía con los ideales democráticos, principios de participación y acción social centrado en el interés público.

The rehabilitation workforce in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The surge in individuals facing functional impairments has heightened the demand for rehabilitation services. Understanding the distribution of the rehabilitation workforce is pivotal for effective health system planning to address the population's health needs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatial and temporal dispersion of physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and occupational therapists across various tiers of care within Brazil's Unified Health System and its regions. METHOD: This is an ecological time series study on the supply of rehabilitation professionals. Data were obtained from the National Register of Health Establishments from 2007 to 2020. The density of professionals was calculated per 10,000 inhabitants annually for Brazil and its five regions. The Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trends of the density of professionals, considering a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In 2020, the most notable concentrations of psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists in Brazil were observed in the domain of Specialized Health Care, with densities of 0.60, 0.20, and 0.16 professionals per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conversely, the highest density of physical therapists was found within Hospital Health Care, with a density of 1.19 professionals per 10,000 inhabitants. Notably, variations in professional dispersion across different regions were apparent. Primary Health Care exhibited the highest density of professionals in the Northeast region, while the Southern region accounted for the highest densities in all professional categories within Specialized Health Care. The southeast region exhibited the largest workforce within Hospital Health Care. A marked upsurge in professional availability was noted across all categories, notably in the occupational therapy sector within hospital care (AAPC: 30.8), despite its initial low density. CONCLUSION: The implementation of public health policies played a significant role in the expansion of the rehabilitation workforce at all three levels of care in Brazil and its various regions from 2007 to 2020. Consequently, regional disparities and densities of professionals have emerged, mirroring patterns observed in low-income countries.

Economic burden for the Unified Health System attributable to excessive sodium consumption in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the economic costs of excessive sodium consumption in terms of hospitalizations and outpatient procedures of medium and high complexity (OPMHC) for the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and its states in 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study. METHOD: This study used population attributable fractions (PAFs) of excessive sodium consumption estimated by the Global Burden of Disease study based on the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (3 g of sodium per day), the average population consumption, and relative risks of sodium-outcome pairs. PAFs were applied to the total costs of hospitalizations and OPMHC paid by SUS for each outcome obtained from the Outpatient and Hospital Information Systems. The costs per 10,000 inhabitants in all the Brazilian states were calculated and converted into international dollars (Int$), considering the purchasing parity power in the year 2019. RESULTS: Excessive sodium consumption resulted in Int$ 98,882,386.36 (95% uncertainty interval: Int$ 3,398,343.53-312,065,319.80) in hospitalizations and OPMHC costs in Brazil in 2019. Males and the 55- to 69-year-old age group had the highest expenditures attributable to excessive sodium consumption. Cardiovascular diseases were the most significant contributors to the costs associated with the risk factor. Southern and southeastern states had the highest costs of diseases attributable to sodium. CONCLUSION: Excessive sodium consumption has a significant economic burden on SUS, particularly among men and more developed states. This underscores the inequalities in socio-economic factors and access to health services throughout the country. Economic analyses at the subnational level can provide evidence for public policy planning to define the most appropriate actions for the population's sociodemographic reality.

Distributive justice and equity in resource allocation: a temporal analysis of hospitalization costs in indigenous populations in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, a country of continental dimensions, the health needs of each region have an impact. In this context and the name of the principle of equity, the SUS organizes actions especially aimed at social groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and indigenous peoples. The concept of justice proposed by John Rawls is one of equity, which is essential to this country. METHODS: This is an ecological, descriptive study, which analyzed hospital spending on cardiovascular diseases in the Unified Health System (SUS) among the indigenous elderly population and other ethnicities/colors in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. RESULTS: Hospitalization costs and fatality rates for indigenous populations and other colors/ethnicities, between 2010 and 2019, were evaluated. A reduction in hospitalization costs for the indigenous population and an increase in other populations was observed throughout the historical series, while there was an increase in fatality rates for both groups. A comparison was made between hospitalization costs and the fatality rates of indigenous populations and other colors/ethnicities according to sex, between 2010 and 2019. It was observed that regardless of sex, there are significant differences (p<0.05) between hospitalization costs and fatality rates, with higher costs for patients of other colors/ethnicities and higher fatality rates for the indigenous population. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization costs due to cardiovascular diseases in elderly people from indigenous populations were lower compared to other ethnicities in most federative units, which may suggest an unequal allocation of resources or access for this indigenous population to the SUS. Although there is no strong correlation between spending on hospital admissions and fatality rates, it was found that these rates increased between 2010 and 2019, while spending was reduced.

[The influence of the institutions on local health councils]. / La influencia de las instituciones en los consejos locales de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influences of the institutions in the operation of the Local Health councils. DESIGN: qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. STUDY SETTING: 02 Primary Health Care services of a municipality in the inland of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: twenty-four members of the Local Health Councils and 4 key informants. METHODS: Supported by the theoretical methodological framework of Institutional Analysis. Data were produced through 28 semi-structured interviews, observation and participation in the activities of the councils and recording in the research diary. Data were organized and analyzed by the process of transcription, transposition and reconstitution. RESULTS: The institutions act in the territories represented by social actors who occupy positions and functions within the Primary Health Care services, evidencing the perpetuation of hierarchization with valorization of the speeches of professionals and managers to the detriment of patients and predominance of bureaucratized meetings. The social actors reproduce the ideals of the collective to which they belong in these spaces. CONCLUSIONS: The health management teams do not recognize the different forces that act in the health territory, however, these forces interfere in the activities performed and in health care. The groups act both in formal spaces through official representatives who meet and discuss issues in collegiate meetings and in informal spaces, and constitute forces in dispute in the health territory.

Implementação de tecnologias em saúde no Brasil: análise de orientações federais para o sistema público de saúde / Implementation of health technologies in Brazil: analysis of federal guidelines for the public health system

Resumo O objetivo foi identificar o arcabouço regulatório e as orientações federais que sustentam o processo de implementação de tecnologias em saúde no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), por meio da análise de documentos e legislações relacionados à Política Nacional de Gestão de Tecnologias de Saúde, publicados entre 2009 e 2021. Foi realizada busca e seleção dos documentos e posterior extração de dados, agrupados por três categorias: normativas estruturantes, recomendações na avaliação de tecnologias e recomendações nas diretrizes clínicas. Em 38,8% das normativas, foram identificadas citações à implementação relacionadas principalmente às diretrizes clínicas do SUS, mas nenhum documento dedicado a orientar as ações de implementação. As recomendações relacionadas às implementações foram identificadas em 27,1% dos relatórios e em 66,1% das diretrizes, mas sem padronização e, de modo geral, pouco detalhadas, com foco em recursos e ações necessárias para a disponibilização da tecnologia, ao invés de métodos e intervenções para implementação. Os resultados confirmam a existência de uma lacuna de diretrizes formais para guiar o processo de implementação no Brasil, o que se constitui em oportunidade para o desenvolvimento de modelos alinhados à realidade do SUS.

Abstract This study aimed to identify the regulatory framework and federal guidelines that support the process of implementing health technologies in the Unified Health System (SUS) through analysis of documents and legislation related to the National Health Technology Management Policy, published between 2009 and 2021. The search and selection of documents and subsequent data extraction were carried out. The documents were grouped into three categories: structural regulatory documents, recommendations on evaluation of technologies, and recommendations on clinical guidelines. In 38.8% of the regulatory documents, citations to implementation related mainly to SUS clinical guidelines were identified; however, no document dedicated to guiding implementation actions was identified. Recommendations related to implementations were identified in 27.1% of the reports and 66.1% of the guidelines, although without standardization and, in general, in little detail, focusing on resources and actions needed for making technology available rather than on methods and interventions for its implementation. The results evidence a gap in formal guidelines to guide the implementation process in Brazil, representing an opportunity for the development of models aligned with the reality of the SUS.

Práticas adotadas pelas equipes de saúde bucal na estratégia saúde da família: uma revisão da literatura / Practices adopted by oral health teams in the family health strategy: a literature review / Prácticas adoptadas por los equipos de salud bucal en la estrategia de salud de la familia: una revisión de la literatura

A inserção da Odontologia no Sistema Único de Saúde, como estratégia de transformação da prática, introduziu novas formas de organização na busca pela melhoria das condições de saúde bucal da população. O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar práticas adotadas pela Equipe de Saúde Bucal na prevenção e promoção da saúde bucal das co- munidades assistidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família. Trata-se de uma revisão de litera- tura, com uma busca sistematizada nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e Scielo, utilizando os descritores: programa saúde da família, estratégia saúde da família, saúde bucal e odontologia. Os critérios de inclusão foram: estudos qualitativos, surveys e mistos, que abordem práticas adotadas pela Equipe de Saúde Bucal da Estratégia Saúde da Família, na prevenção e promoção da saúde bucal. A busca resultou em 435 estudos, após remoção das duplicatas, leitura de títulos, resumos e verificação dos critérios de inclusão foram incluídos 18 artigos. As práticas identificadas foram: educação em saúde, visita domiciliar, humanização do cuidado, educação permanente em saúde e intersetori- alidade. Os resultados mostraram que as práticas de prevenção e promoção de saúde ado- tadas pela Equipe de Saúde Bucal da Estratégia Saúde da Família foram viáveis, uma vez que emergiram de estratégias difundidas pelas políticas públicas, evidenciando a indisso- ciabilidade entre saúde bucal e saúde geral dos usuários e comunidades, contribuindo no processo de consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde.

The inclusion of Dentistry in the Unified Health System, as a practice transformation strategy, introduced new forms of organization in the quest to improve the oral health conditions of the population. The objective of this work was to identify prac- tices adopted by the Oral Health Team in the prevention and promotion of oral health in communities assisted by the Family Health Strategy. This is a literature review, with a systematic search, in the Virtual Health Library and Scielo databases, using the descrip- tors: family health program, family health strategy, oral health and dentistry. The inclu- sion criteria were: qualitative studies, surveys and mixed, which address practices adop- ted by the Oral Health Team of the Family Health Strategy, in the prevention and promo- tion of oral health. The search resulted in 435 studies, after removing duplicates, reading titles, abstracts and checking the inclusion criteria, 18 articles were included. The identi- fied practices were: health education, home visits, humanization of care, permanent health education and intersectoriality. The results showed that the prevention and health promo- tion practices adopted by the Oral Health Team of the Family Health Strategy were viable, since they emerged from strategies disseminated by public policies, evidencing the inse- parability between oral health and the general health of users and communities , contri- buting to the consolidation process of the Unified Health System.

La inclusión de la Odontología en el Sistema Único de Salud, como estra- tegia de transformación de la práctica, introdujo nuevas formas de organización en la búsqueda de mejorar las condiciones de salud bucal de la población. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar las prácticas adoptadas por el Equipo de Salud Bucal en la preven- ción y promoción de la salud bucal en las comunidades asistidas por la Estrategia Salud de la Familia. Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica, con búsqueda sistemática, en la Bi- blioteca Virtual en Salud y en las bases de datos Scielo, utilizando los descriptores: pro- grama de salud familiar, estrategia de salud familiar, salud bucal y odontología. Los cri- terios de inclusión fueron: estudios cualitativos, encuestas y mixtos, que aborden las prác- ticas adoptadas por el Equipo de Salud Bucal de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, en la prevención y promoción de la salud bucal. La búsqueda resultó en 435 estudios, luego de eliminar duplicados, leer títulos, resúmenes y verificar los criterios de inclusión, se inclu- yeron 18 artículos. Las prácticas identificadas fueron: educación en salud, visitas domi- ciliarias, humanización del cuidado, educación permanente en salud e intersectorialidad. Los resultados mostraron que las prácticas de prevención y promoción de la salud adop- tadas por el Equipo de Salud Bucal de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia fueron viables, ya que surgieron de estrategias difundidas por las políticas públicas, evidenciando la in- separabilidad entre la salud bucal y la salud general de los usuarios y comunidades, con- tribuyendo al proceso de consolidación del Sistema Único de Salud.

Baciloscopia para hanseníase no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil entre 2013 e 2022 / Bacilloscopy for leprosy in Brazil's public health system between 2013 and 2022

Objetivo: Avaliar a quantidade anual de baciloscopias para hanseníase realizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) nos últimos dez anos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo ecológico, longitudinal, retrospectivo e quantitativo, utilizando dados do Sistema de InformaçõesAmbulatoriais (SIA/SUS). A quantidade de baciloscopias para hanseníase a cada 100.000 residentes foi estimada para o Brasil e suas cinco macrorregiões, avaliada entre 2013 e 2022 com nível de significância (a) de 5%. Resultados:Mais de 1,3 milhões de baciloscopias foram notificadas nos últimos dez anos no SUS. A mediana da incidência anual foi de 67 baciloscopias para hanseníase por 100.000 residentes, sendo a máxima observada em 2013 (82) e a mínima em 2022 (46). As incidências anuais nas macrorregiões Norte, Centro-oeste e Nordeste foram significativamente superiores à estimativa nacional, enquanto no Sul e Sudeste foram inferiores (p<0,05). A tendência temporal foi considerada decrescente para a estimativa nacional (p= 0,002), com variação percentualanual de -5,6% (IC95% = -3,8%; -8,2%). Entretanto, após desconsiderar os anos da pandemia de COVID-19 (2020-2022), a tendência tornou-se estacionária (p= 0,181). Além disso, a incidência durante o período pré-pandêmico foi significativamente maior quandocomparada ao terceiro ano após o advento da pandemia em todas as macrorregiões do Brasil (p<0,05). Conclusão:Foi possível concluir que o SUS realizou um número expressivo de baciloscopias para hanseníase nos últimos dez anos, mas existem disparidades macrorregionais no Brasil, bem como um impacto significativo da pandemia de COVID-19

Objective:To evaluate the annual number of skin smear microscopies for leprosy performed in the Unified Health System (SUS) in the last decade. Methods:An ecological, longitudinal, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted using data from the Ambulatory Information System (SIA/SUS). The number of skin smear microscopies for leprosy per 100,000 residents was estimated for Brazil and its five macroregions, between 2013 and 2022, with a significance level (a) of 5%.Results:More than 1.3 million skin smear microscopies were reported in the last decade in the SUS. The median annual incidence was 67 skin smear microscopies for leprosy per 100,000 residents, with the maximum observed in 2013 (82) and the minimum in 2022 (46). Annual incidences in the North, Central-West, and Northeast macro-regions were significantly higher than the national estimate, whereas in the South and Southeast, they were lower (p <0.05). The temporal trend was considered decreasing for the national estimate (p = 0.002), with an annual percentage variation of -5.6% (95%CI = -3.8%; -8.2%). However, after disregarding the years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), the trend became stationary (p = 0.181). Furthermore, the incidence during the pre-pandemic period was significantly higher compared with the third year after the advent of the pandemic in all macro-regions of Brazil (p<0.05).Conclusion:It was possible to conclude that the SUS performed a significant number of skin smear microscopies for leprosy in the last ten years, but there are macro-regional disparities in Brazil and a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde na atenção primária à saúde de mossoró ­ rn / Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in Primary Health Care in Mossoró ­RN / Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias de Salud en Atención Primaria de la Salud en Mossoró ­RN

Introdução:As Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde integram práticas e saberes milenares aos conhecimentos biomédicos ocidentais atuais. Dentro do Sistema Único de Saúde, especificamentena Atenção Primária, o principal local de atuação das referidas práticasé nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde.Objetivo:Avaliaro uso destas práticas nas Unidades Básicas do município de Mossoró/Rio Grande do Norte.Metodologia:Realizou-se um estudo descritivo transversal com abordagem quantitativa com gerentes de Unidades Básicas de Saúdede Mossoró. Foram utilizadosdoisquestionários: um para avaliar o conhecimento dos gerentes das Unidades Básicas acerca daspráticas integrativase outro para avaliar o seu usoe processo deimplementação. Os dados foram coletados através da aplicação dequestionários de forma online por meio da ferramenta Google Forms.Resultados:Vinte e três gerentesque,no estudo totalizou um percentual de 48,9%,responderamos questionários. A maioria dos entrevistados demonstrouconhecimentos sobreas Práticas,dasquaispodemos citar como sendoas mais conhecidas:acupuntura, meditação e fitoterapia. Apenas 17,4% das Unidades Básicas de Saúdeofertamas mesmas, sendo a fitoterapia a principal. A aplicação destasé realizada, majoritariamente,por enfermeiros, sendo saúde mental e dores musculares as indicações mais comuns. A falha na tentativa de implantação destas práticasfoi atribuídaà falta de capacitação profissional e recursos, enquanto a sua interrupçãose deudevidoà escassez de material e à pandemia da COVID-19. Conclusões:Este estudo encontrou uma baixa prevalência nas referidas práticasna cidade deMossoró. Destaca-se a necessidade de qualificação e capacitação dos profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúdeem Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, bem como melhor gestão dos recursos para efetiva implementação no município, vistosua importância nos cuidados de saúde integral e prevenção de doenças (AU).

Introduction:Integrative and Complementary Health Practices integrate ancient practices and wisdom with current western biomedical knowledge. Within theUnified Health System, specifically in Primary Health Care, the main place where these practicesare applied is in Basic Health Units.Objective:To evaluate the use of these practicesin the Basic Units from the municipality of Mossoró/Rio Grande do Norte.Methodology:A cross-sectional and descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out with Basic Health Unit managers from Mossoró. Two questionnaires were used: one to assess the Basic Unit managers' knowledge aboutintegrative practices; and the other to evaluate their use and implementation process. The data were collected by applying questionnaires online using the Google Forms tool. Results:Twenty-three managers, who totaled a percentage of 48.9% in the study, answered the questionnaires. Most of the participants showed knowledge about the Practices, among which wecan mention the following as the best known: Acupuncture, Meditation and Herbal Medicine. Only 17.4% of the Basic Health Units offerthese practices, with Phytotherapy as the main one. Their application of these is mostly in charge of nurses, with mental health and muscle pain as the most common indications. Failure in the attempt to implement these practices was attributed to lack of professional training and resources, whereas their interruption was due to shortage of materials and to the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions:This study found a low prevalence of these practicesin the city of Mossoró. The need for qualification and training of thePrimary Health Care professionals inIntegrative and Complementary Practicesis highlighted, as well as better management of resources for effective implementation in the municipality, given their importance in terms of comprehensive health care and disease prevention (AU).

Introducción: Las Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias de Salud integran prácticas y saberes milenarios con conocimientos biomédicos occidentales actuales. En el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud, específicamente en Atención Primaria, el principal lugar en el que seaplican estas prácticasson las Unidades Básicas de Salud. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de estas prácticas en Unidades Básicas delmunicipio de Mossoró/Rio Grande do Norte. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal con enfoque cuantitativo con los gerentes de Unidades Básicas de Mossoró. Se utilizaron dos cuestionarios: uno para evaluar el conocimiento de los gerentesde Unidades Básicas sobre prácticas integradoras; y otro para evaluar su uso y proceso de implementación. Los datos se recopilaron aplicando los cuestionarios en línea a través de la herramienta Google Forms. Resultados: Veintitrésgerentesrespondieron los cuestionarios, que en el estudio sumaron un porcentaje del 48,9%. La mayoría de los entrevistados demostró conocimientos sobre las Prácticas, entre las que podemos mencionar como las más conocidas: Acupuntura, Meditación y Fitoterapia.Solo el 17,4% de las Unidades Básicas ofrecenestas prácticas, con Fitoterapia como la principal. En su mayoría, estas prácticas son aplicadas por enfermeras, con salud mental y dolores musculares como las indicaciones más habituales. El fracaso en el intento de implementar estas prácticas se atribuyó a falta de formación profesional y de recursos, mientras que su interrupción se debió a escasez de materiales y a la pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusiones: Este estudio detectóuna baja prevalencia de estas prácticas en la ciudad de Mossoró.Se destaca la necesidad de cualificación y formación de los profesionales de Atención Primaria de la Salud en Prácticas Integradorasy Complementarias, así como mejor gestión de los recursos para efectiva implementación en el municipio,dada su importancia para el cuidado de la salud integral y la prevención de enfermedades (AU).

Contribuições da educação permanente para os conselhos de saúde: um estudo de revisão integrativa / Contributions of continuingeducation tothehealth councils: an integrative review study / Contribuciones de la educación continua a los consejos de salud: un estudio de revisión integradora

Introdução:Aeducação permanente propicia uma reflexão contínua frente à realidade posta e nos instiga a buscar soluções criativas para a superação dos problemas de saúde e, por conseguinte, qualificar as ações dos conselheiros de saúde, no intuito de aumentar a resolubilidade, a qualificação técnica e a eficiência do sistema de saúde.Objetivo:Analisar as contribuições da educação permanente para os Conselhos de Saúde.Metodologia:Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura científicaguiada pelo checklistIndicativos de Qualidade para Artigos de Revisão Integrativa, realizada em julho de 2021 e atualizada em junho de 2023.Resultados:Os 15 artigos incluídos na amostra final versam, em sua maioria, sobre os Conselhos Municipais de Saúde (73%), são decorrentes de estudos realizados no Sudeste do Brasil (60%) e foram publicados nos últimos vinte anos, com maior frequência em 2011 (20%). As congruências identificadas nos artigos foram organizadas em três categorias: 1) O papel do conselheiro de saúde; 2) Desafios encontrados no exercício do controle social; 3) A qualificação para o aperfeiçoamento dos processos decisórios dos Conselhos de Saúde. Os achados do estudo mostram que a falta de conhecimentos específicos e a ausência de ações de educação permanente para os conselheiros de saúde dificultam os processos decisórios e deliberativos dos Conselhos de Saúde.Conclusões:As consequências da falta de conhecimento sobre os temas pertinentes ao exercício do controle social têm grande influência na condução de políticas públicas e do sistema de saúde no Brasil (AU).

Introduction:Continuing education provides continuous reflection in the face of the imposed reality and encourages us to seek creative solutions to overcome health problems and, consequently, qualify the actions of health counselors, in order to increase solvability, technical qualification and efficiency of the health system. Objective:To analyze the contributions of continuing education to the Health Councils.Methodology:This is an integrative review of the scientific literature guided by the Quality Indicators forIntegrative Review Articles checklist, carried out in July 2021 and updated in June 2023. Results:Most of the 15 articles included in the final sample are about Municipal Health Councils (73%), are the result of studies carried out in the southeast of Brazil (60%) and were published in the last 20 years, most frequently in 2011 (20%). The congruences identified in the articles were organized into three categories: 1) The role of the health counselor; 2) Challenges found in the exercise of social control; 3) The qualification for the improvement of the decision-making processes of the Health Councils. The study findings show that the lack of specific knowledge and the absence of continuing education actions for health counselors hinder the decision-making and deliberative processes of the Health Councils. Conclusions:The consequences of the lack of knowledge about issues related to the exercise of social control have a great influence on the conduct of public policies and the health system in Brazil (AU).

Introducción: La educacióncontinua proporciona una reflexión continua frente a la realidad planteada y nos impulsa a buscar soluciones creativaspara superar los problemas de salud y, por lo tanto, calificar las acciones de los consejeros de salud, con el fin de aumentar la resolutividad, la calificación técnica y la eficiencia del sistema de salud. Objetivo: Analizar las contribuciones de la educación continua a los Consejos de Salud.Metodología: Esta es una revisión integradora de la literatura científica guiada por la lista de verificación Indicadores de Calidad para Artículos de Revisión Integradora, realizada en julio de 2021 y actualizada enjunio de 2023. Resultados: Los 15 artículos incluidos en la muestra final son en su mayoría sobre Consejos Municipales de Salud (73%), son resultado de estudios realizados en el Sudeste de Brasil (60%) y fueron publicados en los últimos 20 años, con mayorfrecuencia en 2011 (20%). Las congruencias identificadas en los artículos fueron organizadas en tres categorías: 1) El papel del consejero de salud; 2) Desafíos encontrados en el ejercicio del control social; 3) La capacitación para la mejora de los procesos de toma de decisiones de los Consejos de Salud. Los hallazgos del estudio muestran que la falta de conocimientos específicos y la ausencia de acciones de educación continua para los consejeros de salud dificultan la toma de decisiones y los procesos deliberativos de los Consejos de Salud.Conclusiones: Las consecuencias de la falta de conocimiento sobre cuestiones relacionadas con el ejercicio del control social tienen una gran influencia en la conducción de las políticas públicas y el sistema de salud en Brasil (AU).

Sistema Único de Saúde: acessibilidade das pessoas surdas no interior da Bahia / Unified Health System: accessibility of deaf people in the countryside of Bahia state / Sistema Único de Salud: accesibilidad de las personas sordas en el interior de Bahia

A acessibilidade das pessoas surdasno Sistema Único de Saúde ainda é precária devido às barreiras de comunicação. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o acesso e o atendimento ofertado à comunidade surda nos serviços de saúde públicos, no município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa. Participaram oito profissionais de saúde e treze usuários surdos, cujos dados foram coletados com aplicação de um questionário e um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada. Os resultados, com base na análise do conteúdo, apontaram que não há capacitação, as Unidades Básicas de Saúde não apresentam estratégias de acessibilidade nos atendimentos, têm rara comunicação em Libras e um número reduzido de intérpretes ­ o que dificulta a comunicação entre o profissional de saúde e o usuário surdo. A formação em Libras e a presença de um intérprete são apontadas como estratégias para um atendimento de qualidade às pessoas surdas

The accessibility of deaf people in the Unified Health System is still precarious due to communication barriers. The objective of the study was to analyze the access and care offered to the deaf community in public health services, in the city of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, through qualitative research. Eight health professionals and thirteen deaf users took part in the research, whose data were collected using a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview script. Based on the content analysis, the results showed that there is no training, the Basic Health Units do not have accessibility strategies in care, rarely communicate in Libras and a have a small number of interpreters in their ranks ­ hindering the communication between health professional and deaf user. Training in Libras and the presence of an interpreter are identified as strategies for quality care for deaf people

La accesibilidad para los sordos en el Sistema Único de Salud todavía es precaria debido a las barreras de comunicación. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el acceso y la atención ofrecida a este público en los servicios de salud públicos, en el municipio de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, con una investigación cualitativa. Participaron ocho profesionales de la salud y trece usuarios sordos, cuyos datos fueron recolectados a través de cuestionario y guión de entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados, basados en el análisis de contenido, mostraron que no hay capacitación, las Unidades Básicas de Salud no tienen estrategias de accesibilidad, y tienen poca comunicación en Libras y reducido número de intérpretes ­ lo que dificulta la comunicación entre el profesional de la salud y el usuario sordo. La formación en Libras y la presencia de un intérprete se identifican como estrategias para la atención de calidad a los sordos

The economic impact of stroke in Brazil, 2010-2019: Increase in public expenses of Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVES: To economically analyze the impact that outpatient and inpatient spending of the Unified Health System and social security expenses of the General Regime of Social Security generated to the Brazilian public system, between 2010 and 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational research, in which public data from the SUS Department of Informatics and the Social Security Historical Database were used, according to 10ª International Classification of Diseases code, I-64 (Stroke, not specified if hemorrhagic or ischemic). The Kruskal-Wallis test, complemented by Dunn's post-hoc test, and Spearman's bivariate correlation test were used to check for differences and correlations between variables. The expenditures were adjusted for inflation for the year 2019 and presented in american dollar s(U$). RESULTS: Stroke public spending impacted an average of 120 million dollars per year and increased 15% during the historical series. Eighty-nine percent of these expenditures originated from hospital spending (p<0.05). On average, stroke accounted for 7.3% of spending on cardiovascular diseases and 0.72% of spending on the other codes of 10ª International Classification of Diseases. Total spending showed a positive correlation with the historical series (r=.702; p<0.05), with the increase in the elderly population (over 60 years of age) (r=.676; p<0.05) and with Gross Domestic Product per capita (r=.784; p<0,05). CONCLUSIONS: The impact that stroke generated on public spending increased over the historical series, mainly due to hospital spending and by the prospect of increasing elderly population in Brazil, public spending tends to rise.

Equity in health and justice: a look at the Brazilian unified health system (SUS) from the perspective of John Rawls

This study addresses the issue of equity in health and justice from the perspective of public health bioethics, describing the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), equating legitimate interests for essential goods, such as health. The conception of John Rawls' theory of justice is "justice as fairness" and has a seventeenth century contractualism tenor. Although it was not conceived specifically for health and marked by the "difference principle", it promoted, in the field of health care, the institution of health systems created on the basis of universal access and equity in the distribution of scarce resources. The principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) guarantee access to all levels of care, equality in health care, without distinctions or privileges of any kind, integrity in health care, free of charge, community participation and decentralization, regionalization and hierarchization of health actions and services, which gives the SUS a strong Rawlsian bias. The Brazilian model was built on the principle that health is a right of all and a duty of the State, therefore, it is based on the assumption of universal and equal access to health actions and services for its promotion and recovery.

Este estudio aborda el tema equidad en salud y justicia desde la perspectiva de la bioética de la salud pública, describiendo el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño, equiparando intereses legítimos por los bienes esenciales, como la salud. La concepción de la teoría de justicia de John Rawls es la "justicia como equidad" y tiene un tenor de contractualismo del siglo XVII. Aunque no fue concebida específicamente para la salud y marcada por el "principio de la diferencia", impulsó, en el ámbito de la atención sanitaria, la institución de sistemas de salud creados sobre la base del acceso universal y la equidad en la distribución de recursos escasos. Los principios del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño garantizan el acceso para todos los niveles asistenciales, igualdad en la atención a la salud, sin distinciones ni privilegios de ningún tipo, integridad en la asistencia a la salud, gratuidad, participación comunitaria y una descentralización, regionalización y jerarquización de las acciones y servicios de salud, lo que da al SUS un fuerte sesgo rawlsiano. El modelo brasileño se construyó sobre el principio de que la salud es un derecho de todos y un deber del Estado, por lo tanto, se basa en el supuesto del acceso universal e igualitario a las acciones y servicios de salud para su promoción y recuperación.

Este estudo aborda a questão da equidade em saúde e da justiça sob a perspectiva da bioética da saúde pública, descrevendo o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), equiparando interesses legítimos para bens essenciais, como a saúde. A concepção da teoria da justiça de John Rawls é "justiça como equidade" e tem um teor contratualista do século XVII. Embora não tenha sido concebida especificamente para a saúde e marcada pelo "princípio da diferença", ela promoveu, no campo da assistência à saúde, a instituição de sistemas de saúde criados com base no acesso universal e na equidade na distribuição de recursos escassos. Os princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) garantem o acesso a todos os níveis de atenção, a igualdade na assistência à saúde, sem distinções ou privilégios de qualquer espécie, a integralidade na assistência à saúde, a gratuidade, a participação da comunidade e a descentralização, regionalização e hierarquização das ações e serviços de saúde, o que confere ao SUS um forte viés rawlsiano. O modelo brasileiro foi construído com base no princípio de que a saúde é um direito de todos e um dever do Estado, portanto, parte do pressuposto do acesso universal e igualitário às ações e serviços de saúde para sua promoção e recuperação.

O Complexo Econômico-Industrial da Saúde (CEIS) como espaço estratégico para a modernização do SUS e para a geração dos empregos do futuro / The Health Economic-Industrial Complex (HEIC): a strategic area for both the modernization of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the creation of future jobs

Resumo Esse artigo apresenta os primeiros resultados da pesquisa sobre o novo mundo do trabalho da saúde no contexto da revolução 4.0 que buscou, além de identificar o perfil e o volume de emprego gerado pelas atividades de saúde no Brasil, analisar as principais transformações no mundo do trabalho e do emprego provocadas pelas novas tecnologias e seus potenciais efeitos no âmbito do Complexo Econômico-Industrial da Saúde (CEIS). A metodologia busca contribuir para uma nova visão dos profissionais de saúde, pois além de caracterizar o perfil ocupacional, incluindo seu conteúdo tecnológico, incorpora profissionais alocados, direta e indiretamente, no CEIS. Os resultados apresentados, fruto da aplicação da metodologia nas bases de dados da RAIS e da PNAD Contínua, para os anos entre 2012 e 2019, revelam a elevada capacidade de geração de bons empregos no CEIS, mesmo em contexto de crise econômica. O mercado de trabalho em saúde, tanto por sua escala, complexidade e diversidade, quanto por seu dinamismo e potencial em termos de incidência das tecnologias 4.0, indica que o desenvolvimento do CEIS pode se constituir em motor do desenvolvimento do país, associando inovação e produção à modernização do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e à geração de bons empregos.

Abstract This article presents the initial results of the ongoing research on the new world of healthcare work in the context of the 4th Technological Revolution. In addition to identifying the profile and volume of employment generated by health activities in Brazil, this investigation also analyzes the main transformations in the world of work and employment caused by new technologies and their potential impacts upon the field of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex (HEIC). The methodology seeks to contribute to a new vision of health professionals, which includes not only the employment profile with its technological content, but also the professionals directly and indirectly assigned to HEIC. Applying this methodology to the databases of RAIS and Continuous PNAD from 2012 to 2019, reveals HEIC's high capacity to generate good jobs, even in a context of economic crisis. The health labor market, both for its scale, complexity, and diversity, and for its dynamism and potential in terms of the incidence of 4.0 technologies, indicates that the development of HEIC can become the engine of the country's development, associating innovation and production with the modernization of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the generation of good jobs.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 tests in the unified health system.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio and economic impact of the Rapid Antigen Test (TR-Ag) to replace RT-PCR for the detection of the new Coronavirus in the Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS: This is a cost-effectiveness analysis. Clinical protocols were used for the diagnosis of COVID-19 at the São José Municipal Hospital, located in the city of Itaberá-SP. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was divided into two scenarios. In the first, the accuracy reported by the test manufacturers was included, and in the second, the cost resulting from a systematic review. Both were compared with the performance of the RT-PCR test. The increase in diagnoses was chosen as a health outcome and absenteeism was used as a criterion for assessing the economic impact. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of R$ 42,136.67 and R$ 68,329.73 for every thousand tests, according to the accuracy of the manufacturers' TR-Ag tests and what is reported in the literature in relation to RT-PCR, respectively. The average value found for the RT-PCR test (R$ 202.87) represents an increase of 165.32% in cost in relation to the value found for the TR-Ag. 4,305 tests were performed between April 2020 and December 2021 at the referral hospital. Also, maintaining the use of RT-PCR as the first choice for diagnosing COVID-19 and regulating absenteeism in the economically active population could have an impact of up to R$ 1,022,779.68 on municipal management. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the TR-Ag are configured as a cost-effective alternative for the SUS in the detection of the new Coronavirus. The strategy becomes economically favorable for the expansion of testing, combating the COVID-19 pandemic and reducing the impact on the local economy. However, studies are needed to validate the accuracy of the tests so that economic evaluations on the subject are more assertive.

Índice de Dependência Regional e Macrorregional: uma contribuição ao processo de regionalização do SUS / Regional and Macro-regional Dependency Index: A contribution to the SUS regionalization process

RESUMO O estudo aborda a interdependência das regiões e macrorregiões de saúde no Brasil nas internações de média e alta complexidade, no ano de 2019. Foi realizada a análise dos fluxos estabelecidos, utilizando o Índice de Dependência Regional e Macrorregional, a partir de dados secundários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) obtidos no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar. Os resultados demonstram que grande parte das regiões e macrorregiões de saúde absorvem em seus territórios as internações de média complexidade, com variações entre as especialidades. Nas internações de alta complexidade, a maioria das regiões de saúde apresenta grande dependência, sendo que a assistência está concentrada em 15% delas. Entre as macrorregiões de saúde, o cenário é significativamente heterogêneo, com dependência expressiva nas regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste, e alta resolutividade na região Sul. Em todas as análises, o porte populacional das regiões e macrorregiões de saúde apresenta relação inversa à dependência regional e macrorregional. O aprimoramento da regionalização pressupõe a organização de uma rede de atenção à saúde que considere as desigualdades e as diversidades territoriais, a interdependência e a autonomia entre os territórios e os atores implicados, e a coordenação entre as unidades federativas, de modo a garantir cuidado integral e equânime.

ABSTRACT The study addresses the interdependency between health regions and macro-regions in Brazil in 2019, concerning both medium and high complexity hospitalizations. The analysis of the flows established was carried out using the Regional and Macro-regional Dependency Index, based on secondary data provided by the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SUS). The results show that a significant number of health regions and macro-regions absorb medium-complexity hospitalizations in their territories, varying according to specialties. In high-complexity hospitalizations, most health regions are highly dependent, assistance concentrated in 15% of these. Among health macro-regions, the scenario is significantly heterogeneous: highly dependent on the North, Northeast and Midwest Regions, and highly resolutive in the South Region. Analyses show that the population size of health regions and macro-regions is inversely related to the regional and macro-regional dependency. The improvement of regionalization requires an organized health care network, one that takes into account territorial inequalities and diversities, interdependency and autonomy among the territories and actors involved, and inter-federative coordination, so as to provide care that is both comprehensive and equitable.

Estudo comparativo entre empresa farmacêutica global e instituição pública de produção e inovação em saúde / Comparative study between global pharmaceutical company and public institution of production and innovation in health

RESUMO O cenário tecnológico no campo da saúde é um fato alarmante, mormente no contexto provocado pela Covid-19. Nessa conjuntura, a Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, por meio da Unidade de Bio-Manguinhos, e o Butantan foram protagonistas para o acesso universal, dialogando com estratégicas internacionais. No adensamento da discussão estratégica para Instituições Públicas de Produção e Inovação em Saúde (Ippis), o uso de diretrizes da Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde destaca-se como via de mudança paradigmática para a introdução de tecnologias no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) alinhada à visão de inovação de futuro em saúde consonante às demandas nacionais. Este artigo, desenvolvido metodologicamente mediante pesquisas descritiva qualitativa, bibliográfica, documental e trabalho de campo, buscou traçar simetrias e assimetrias baseado nas experiências coletadas em empresa farmacêutica global e instituição de referência nacional pública do campo de incorporação tecnológica em saúde. Como resultados, são explicitados pontos-chave para o fortalecimento técnico e político do Complexo Econômico-Industrial da Saúde, por meio da revisão organizacional das Ippis quanto a aspectos de inovação e de gestão, culminado na promoção de melhorias na Política de ciência, tecnologia e inovação em resposta ao desafio da sustentabilidade, efetividade e acesso no SUS.

ABSTRACT The technological scenario in the field of health is an alarming fact, especially in the context caused by COVID-19. In this context, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, through the Bio-Manguinhos Unit, and the Butantan Institute were protagonists for universal access, dialoguing with international strategies. In the strategic discussion for Public Institutions of Production and Innovation in Health (IPPIS), the use of guidelines of the Technological Assessment in Health stands out as a way of paradigmatic change for the introduction of technologies in the Unified Health System (SUS) in line with the vision of future innovation in health in accordance with national demands. This article, methodologically developed through qualitative descriptive research, bibliographical, documentary and field work, sought to trace symmetries and asymmetries based on the experiences collected in a global pharmaceutical company and a public national reference institution in the field of technological incorporation in health. As a result, key points are explained for the technical and political strengthening of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex, through the organizational review of the IPPIS regarding innovation and management aspects, culminating in the promotion of improvements in the science, technology and innovation policy in response to the challenge of sustainability, effectiveness and access in the SUS.

Sérgio Arouca na Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Unicamp / Sérgio Arouca at the UNICAMP School of Medical Sciences

RESUMO Este trabalho resgatou a passagem do médico sanitarista e professor universitário Antônio Sérgio da Silva Arouca pela Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), entre 1967 e 1975, mediante estudo de três documentos importantes conservados nessa instituição, a saber, seu Processo de Vida Funcional, a Revista Comemorativa dos 25 anos do Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, onde consta depoimento seu, e o Relatório Final da Comissão da Verdade e Memória "Octávio Ianni". No Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social da Unicamp, encontrou ambiente propício para atuar conforme suas convicções. Integrou-se à disciplina de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas à Medicina, cujo conteúdo teórico dialogava com ações extramuros desenvolvidas pelos alunos em bairro pobre da cidade, com o intuito de lhes propiciar a oportunidade de reconhecer a importância e a influência dos fatores sociais sobre o estado de saúde dos indivíduos e das populações. Tal experiência, muito provavelmente, influenciou sobremaneira o jovem docente que, anos depois, produziria uma tese de extrema relevância para formulação e consolidação da saúde coletiva brasileira e presidiria a VIII Conferência Nacional de Saúde, que estabeleceu as bases do Sistema Único de Saúde.

ABSTRACT This work recovers the passage of the public health physician and university professor Antônio Sérgio da Silva Arouca through the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), between 1967 and 1975, through the study of three important documents kept in this institution, namely, his Functional Life File, the Commemorative Magazine of the 25th anniversary of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, where his statement is included, and the Final Report of the "Octávio Ianni" Truth and Memory Commission. At the UNICAMP's Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, he found a favorable environment to act according to his convictions. He joined the discipline of Social Sciences Applied to Medicine, whose theoretical content dialogued with extramural actions developed by students in poor neighborhoods of the city, in order to give them the opportunity to recognize the importance and influence of social factors on the health status of individuals and populations. This experience probably had a great influence on the young professor who, years later, would produce a thesis of extreme relevance for the formulation and consolidation of Brazilian Public Health, and preside over the 8th National Health Conference, which established the bases for the Unified Health System.