[Social exclusion and health inequity: a case study based on a cash distribution program (Bolsa Família) in Brazil]. / Processos de exclusão social e iniquidades em saúde: um estudo de caso a partir do Programa Bolsa Família, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the impact of Bolsa Família (PBF), a federal cash transfer program, and to analyze its effects on social inclusion and exclusion processes experienced by low-income families in Brazil, with a focus on the program's potential to help overcome health inequity. METHODS: This qualitative investigation used a case study methodology including observant participation, review of documents, and semi-structured interviews with current and former PBF beneficiaries, as well as with the program's local managers. The study was conducted in a small city in the state of Rio de Janeiro with a high social exclusion index and 100% coverage by the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia Saúde da Família, ESF) program. The economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of social exclusion and inclusion processes were used to guide data collection and analysis. RESULTS: The program facilitated social inclusion of low-income families, especially in the economic and social dimensions. Nevertheless, it did not produce the changes desired by the beneficiaries in the work dimension. The effects on the political dimension were limited by the insufficient social engagement of the PBF. The interviewees underscored the positive effects of the ESF, which allowed them to exercise their right to health by granting them wider access to primary health care services. However, these effects appeared to be unrelated to the PBF. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal effects, limitations, and challenges of the PBF towards modifying the social determinants of health inequity, in order to promote more effective changes in the social exclusion/inclusion dynamics affecting low-income families.

Mário Magalhães: Development is Health.

Mário Magalhães da Silveira (1905-1986) was the main mentor of the school of thought known as "developmental public health" whose influence peaked at the III National Health Assembly. A critic of the adoption of North American models of public health organization, of the centralism and vertical organization of public health campaigns and the interference of international bodies, the public health doctor held the view that as health is a problem of superstructure, it depends on industrial economic development. He also defended the urgent need to municipalize public health in order to attend to the real needs of the Brazilian population. A pioneer of the intermingling of economic and demographic variables, he may be seen as a predecessor of the health economy discipline. The article describes the professional path of Mário Magalhães as a backdrop to his critical thinking on specific national situations and the health policies adopted.

Democracia e participação: para além das dicotomias / Democracy and participation: moving beyond dichotomies

RESUMO Neste ensaio apresentam-se alguns elementos de análise para pensar a democracia e a participação para além das dicotomias tradicionais e do campo da saúde. Propõe-se um olhar sobre as atuais formas de participação e sobre as mudanças na relação dos cidadãos com a política, observando suas potencialidade e fragilidades. Advoga-se que, para avançar na participação da população na gestão das políticas públicas, se faz necessária uma complementaridade entre os canais institucionais e outras formas mais fluidas e esporádicas de envolvimento do cidadão com os assuntos públicos, reconhecendo cada um dos elementos que integram e qualificam o viver e o participar em uma democracia.

ABSTRACT In this essay some elements of analysis are presented in order to ponder on democracy and participation, moving beyond traditional dichotomies, and beyond the health field. An overview of present day forms of participation, and changes in the relation of citizens with politics is proposed, observing its potential and weak points. We advocate that, in order to further people's participation in the administration of public policies, there must be a complementarity between the institutional channels and other forms of involving the citizen with public affairs, more fluid and sporadic, recognizing each single element that is a part of, and qualifies, living and participating in a democracy.

The work of community health workers in major cities in Brazil: mediation, community action, and health care.

This paper examines the role of community health workers (CHWs) and discusses the challenges in performing their multiple functions as: mediators linking the community and health services, community organizers, and care providers. A survey of CHWs was conducted in four towns in Brazil. The results indicate that during their home visits and community actions, the CHW perform educational and care activities for priority groups. Some CHWs work in health centers, where their functions include care management for chronic patients. The results indicate gaps in the work actually done, mainly as regards the expectation that CHWs would play a more political role, mediating between the communities and public policies, especially health policy. The CHWs in Brazil are general-purpose health personnel with a hybrid role that oscillates from technical to political profile.

[Challenges for healthcare coordination: strategies for integrating levels of care in large cities]. / Desafios à coordenação dos cuidados em saúde: estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais em grandes centros urbanos.

This article analyzes the development of instruments for coordination between the Family Health Strategy and other levels in the health system, with a focus on measures to promote coordination linked to the 'integration among levels of care'. The results of case studies in four large cities indicate the presence of mechanism for integration among levels of care, suggesting concern with guaranteeing comprehensive care. The principal strategies identified here were: creation and strengthening of regulatory structures in the Municipal Health Secretariats and family health units with decentralization of roles to the local level, organization of flows, electronic patient charts, and expansion in the supply of specialized services at the municipal level. However, lack of integration among different providers, insufficient formal flows for hospital care, and absence of policies for medium complexity care were detected as barriers to the guarantee of comprehensive care, making the network's integration incomplete.

[Challenges for human resources management from successful experiences of Family Health Strategy expansion]. / Desafios para gestão do trabalho a partir de experiências exitosas de expansão da Estratégia de Saúde da Família.

This article discusses the management of the work in Family Health Strategy in four major urban centers. The research includes perspectives from different actors who compose and integrate the network of working relationships in Public Health System through questionnaires with employees of professional categories family health team and interviews with managers and representatives of professional bodies. It is a qualitative-quantitative evaluation study. The dimensions analysed were: insertion and remuneration policies, strategies and qualification of employees. The insertion and remuneration policy highlights the replacement of outsourced frames and hiring by public tender that allows links labor more stable. Other strategies are the establishment of allowance for expertise in areas of greater social vulnerability and the assimilation of specialists in Family and Community Medicine with other experts engaged in secondary services. The political will of municipal Manager to qualify the workforce of family health, maintaining the provision of adequate human resources needs of the health system is a fundamental factor for the consolidation of family health strategy in the face of the low degree of specialization of professionals to work in primary health care.

Municipal Health Councils of Brazil: a debate on the democratization of health in the twenty years of the UHS.

Over 17 years, Health Councils were created in the 5,564 Brazilian towns, recruiting about 72,000 councilors. Authors affirm that the institutionalization of the Council is important for the democratization of municipal health policy, as it increases the actors who are participating in its decision-making process. However, they state that this is not enough to make this process fully democratized. This setting is investigated through a new census research about the functioning of the Municipal Health Councils. To understand it, we use three analytical dimensions (autonomy, organization and access) made up of 18 variable. The analysis of results shows that the MHCs have problems with autonomy and organization and good performance in access. Distribution by population size reveals that the best results are in the MHCs of towns with more than 250,000 inhabitants, and the worst are those in towns with a population below 50,000. The problems identified are reactions to the institutionalization of the MHCs. These reactions come from governors who consider the attributes and the deliberative character of the MHCs to be threatening to their interests. They occur due to their low cost, as the rules of the decision-making process do not discourage them. Here, we seek to understand reactions and rules, presenting proposals for overcoming problems.

Family health: limits and possibilities for an integral primary care approach to health care in Brazil.

The article analyzes the implementation of the Family Health Strategy (FH) and discusses its potential to guide the organization of the Unified Health System in Brazil, based on the integration of FH to the health care network and intersectorial action, crucial aspects of a comprehensive primary health care. Four case studies were carried out in cities with high FH coverage (Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis e Vitória), using as sources: semi-structured interviews with managers and surveys with health care professionals and registered families. The integration analysis highlighted the position of FH Strategy in the health services network, the integration mechanisms and the availability of information for continuity of care. Intersectoriality was researched in relation to the fields of action, scope, sectors involved, presence of forums, and team initiatives. The results point to advances in the integration of FH to the health care network, strengthening basic services as services that are regularly sought and used as a preferential first contact services, although there are still problems in the access to specialized care. The intersectorial initiatives were broader when defined as integrated municipal government policy for the construction of interfaces and cooperation between the diverse sectors.

Processos de exclusão social e iniquidades em saúde: um estudo de caso a partir do Programa Bolsa Família, Brasil / Social exclusion and health inequity: a case study based on a cash distribution program (Bolsa Família) in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Compreender as repercussões do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) e analisar seus efeitos nos processos de inclusão e exclusão social vividos pelas famílias pobres no Brasil, em especial sua potencialidade para enfrentar iniquidades em saúde. MÉTODOS: A investigação de abordagem qualitativa empregou a metodologia de estudo de caso com utilização das técnicas de observação participante, pesquisa documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com famílias beneficiárias e ex-beneficiárias do PBF, além de gestores municipais. O estudo foi conduzido em um município de pequeno porte do estado do Rio de Janeiro, com elevado índice de exclusão social e cobertura de 100% da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF).A abordagem dosprocessos deinclusão e exclusão socialem suas dimensões econômica, social, política e cultural foi utilizada para orientar a coleta e análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: O programa favoreceu a inclusão social das famílias pobres, especialmente nas dimensões econômica e social, apesar de não promover as mudanças reivindicadas pelos beneficiários na esfera do trabalho. Os efeitos na dimensão política foram limitados pelo funcionamento inadequado das instâncias de participação social. Os entrevistados destacaram os efeitos positivos da ESF relacionados ao usufruto do direito à saúde, em particular a ampliação do acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde de atenção primária. No entanto, esses efeitos mostraram-se desvinculados do PBF. CONCLUSÕES: O trabalho aponta efeitos, limites e desafios do PBF para modificar os determinantes sociais produtores de iniquidades da saúde, a fim de que se alterem, de modo mais permanente, as dinâmicas de exclusão/inclusão social de famílias vivendo em situação de pobreza.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the impact of Bolsa Família (PBF), a federal cash transfer program, and to analyze its effects on social inclusion and exclusion processes experienced by low-income families in Brazil, with a focus on the program's potential to help overcome health inequity. METHODS: This qualitative investigation used a case study methodology including observant participation, review of documents, and semi-structured interviews with current and former PBF beneficiaries, as well as with the program's local managers. The study was conducted in a small city in the state of Rio de Janeiro with a high social exclusion index and 100% coverage by the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia Saúde da Família, ESF) program. The economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of social exclusion and inclusion processes were used to guide data collection and analysis. RESULTS: The program facilitated social inclusion of low-income families, especially in the economic and social dimensions. Nevertheless, it did not produce the changes desired by the beneficiaries in the work dimension. The effects on the political dimension were limited by the insufficient social engagement of the PBF. The interviewees underscored the positive effects of the ESF, which allowed them to exercise their right to health by granting them wider access to primary health care services. However, these effects appeared to be unrelated to the PBF. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal effects, limitations, and challenges of the PBF towards modifying the social determinants of health inequity, in order to promote more effective changes in the social exclusion/inclusion dynamics affecting low-income families.

Massa marginal na América Latina: mudanças na conceituação e enfrentamento da pobreza 40 anos após uma teoria / Marginal Mass in Latin America: changes in how poverty is conceptualised and addressed 40 years after the theory

As abordagens e expressões da questão social como pobreza envolvem discussões acerca da configuração e do enfrentamento de fraturas sociais, vinculadas ao processo de reestruturação produtiva capitalista, em diversas dimensões: econômicas, políticas, culturais e sociais. o objetivo do artigo é rever esse debate, passados 40 anos da teoria de marginalidade latino-americana, que inaugurou um olhar específico sobre a pobreza a partir da tese de massa marginal de Jose nun. ao longo desse período, são destacadas singularidades dos olhares sobre a pobreza como questão social na américa latina e a aproximação com os teóricos franceses da exclusão social. após a década de 1990, observa-se o direcionamento do debate na perspectiva teórica da exclusão social, operacionalizada como uma categoria capaz de revelar processos de fragilização e ruptura da coesão social a partir de múltiplos níveis e dimensões relacionais.

[The Family Health Program and the construction of a new model for primary care in Brazil]. / O Programa de Saúde da Família e a construção de um novo modelo para a atenção básica no Brasil.

As part of the implementation of the country's Unified Health System (Sistema Unico de Saúde), the Brazilian Government created, in the second half of the 1990s, the Family Health Program (FHP) (Programa de Saúde da Família), based on community-oriented, multidisciplinary care serving people organized into small groups. For this study, we evaluated the implementation of the FHP, based on three criteria: (1) the construction of the program as an entry point for most health needs and for access to specialized care, (2) the program's linkages with a comprehensive network of health services, and (3) the incorporation of new care practices into the health system. We found that the implementation of the FHP was far from uniform. In some municipalities the FHP is a focused program that runs in parallel with other primary care efforts. However, in other municipalities the FHP is viewed as a strategy aimed at changing the primary care model, and it partially or completely replaces preexisting primary care health units. Our research confirms a trend toward incremental change in the primary care model in Brazil. However, the expansion of the FHP in large urban areas faces several obstacles to guaranteeing all individuals access to comprehensive care with adequate clinical and collective health services, including secondary and tertiary care. The positive results that we found with some of the experiences with the FHP indicate that, in addition to increased federal financial incentives, the success of the FHP depends on creative local strategies to deal with Brazil's diversity.

Desafios à coordenação dos cuidados em saúde: estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais em grandes centros urbanos / Challenges for healthcare coordination: strategies for integrating levels of care in large cities

O artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de coordenação desde a Estratégia Saúde da Família aos demais níveis do sistema de saúde com foco em medidas pró-coordenação vinculadas à "integração entre níveis assistenciais". Os resultados obtidos em estudos de casos realizados em quatro grandes centros urbanos apontaram que estão presentes mecanismos de integração entre níveis assistenciais, indicando preocupação com a garantia de atenção integral. As principais estratégias identificadas foram: criação e fortalecimento de estruturas regulatórias no interior das Secretarias Municipais de Saúde e nas unidades de saúde da família com descentralização de funções para o nível local, organização dos fluxos, prontuários eletrônicos e ampliação da oferta de serviços especializados municipais. Contudo, a falta de integração entre diferentes prestadores, a insuficiência de fluxos formais para atenção hospitalar e a ausência de políticas para média complexidade foram apontadas como entraves à garantia do cuidado integral, tornando incompleto o processo de integração da rede.

This article analyzes the development of instruments for coordination between the Family Health Strategy and other levels in the health system, with a focus on measures to promote coordination linked to the "integration among levels of care". The results of case studies in four large cities indicate the presence of mechanism for integration among levels of care, suggesting concern with guaranteeing comprehensive care. The principal strategies identified here were: creation and strengthening of regulatory structures in the Municipal Health Secretariats and family health units with decentralization of roles to the local level, organization of flows, electronic patient charts, and expansion in the supply of specialized services at the municipal level. However, lack of integration among different providers, insufficient formal flows for hospital care, and absence of policies for medium complexity care were detected as barriers to the guarantee of comprehensive care, making the network's integration incomplete.

Desafios à coordenação dos cuidados em saúde: estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais em grandes centros urbanos / Challenges for healthcare coordination: strategies for integrating levels of care in large cities

O artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de coordenação desde a Estratégia Saúde da Família aos demais níveis do sistema de saúde com foco em medidas pró-coordenação vinculadas à "integração entre níveis assistenciais". Os resultados obtidos em estudos de casos realizados em quatro grandes centros urbanos apontaram que estão presentes mecanismos de integração entre níveis assistenciais, indicando preocupação com a garantia de atenção integral. As principais estratégias identificadas foram: criação e fortalecimento de estruturas regulatórias no interior das Secretarias Municipais de Saúde e nas unidades de saúde da família com descentralização de funções para o nível local, organização dos fluxos, prontuários eletrônicos e ampliação da oferta de serviços especializados municipais. Contudo, a falta de integração entre diferentes prestadores, a insuficiência de fluxos formais para atenção hospitalar e a ausência de políticas para média complexidade foram apontadas como entraves à garantia do cuidado integral, tornando incompleto o processo de integração da rede.(AU)

This article analyzes the development of instruments for coordination between the Family Health Strategy and other levels in the health system, with a focus on measures to promote coordination linked to the "integration among levels of care". The results of case studies in four large cities indicate the presence of mechanism for integration among levels of care, suggesting concern with guaranteeing comprehensive care. The principal strategies identified here were: creation and strengthening of regulatory structures in the Municipal Health Secretariats and family health units with decentralization of roles to the local level, organization of flows, electronic patient charts, and expansion in the supply of specialized services at the municipal level. However, lack of integration among different providers, insufficient formal flows for hospital care, and absence of policies for medium complexity care were detected as barriers to the guarantee of comprehensive care, making the network's integration incomplete.(AU)

Desafios para gestão do trabalho a partir de experiências exitosas de expansão da Estratégia de Saúde da Família

Este artigo discute a gestão do trabalho na Estratégia de Saúde da Família em quatro grandes centros urbanos. A pesquisa contempla as perspectivas de diferentes atores que compõem e integram a rede de relações de trabalho no Sistema Único de Saúde por meio de questionários com trabalhadores das categorias profissionais da equipe de saúde da família e entrevistas com gestores e representantes das entidades profissionais. Tratase de estudo de avaliação qualiquantitativo. A política de inserção e remuneração evidencia a substituição dos quadros terceirizados e a contratação por concurso público, que possibilita vínculos trabalhistas mais estáveis. Outras estratégias são o estabelecimento de abono para atuaçãoem áreas de maior vulnerabilidade social e a equiparação do salário dos médicos especialistas em medicina de família e comunidade com demais especialistas atuantes nos serviços secundários. A vontade política do gestor municipal para qualificar a força de trabalho da saúde da família, mantendo a oferta de recursos humanos adequados às necessidades do sistema de saúde, é fator fundamental para a consolidação da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, em face do baixo grau de especialização dos profissionais para atuar em atenção primária em saúde.(AU)

This article discusses the management of the work in Family Health Strategy in four major urban centers. The research includes perspectives from different actors who compose and integrate the network of working relationships in Public Health System through questionnaires with employees of professional categories family health team and interviews with managers and representatives of professional bodies. It is a qualitative-quantitative evaluation study. The dimensions analysed were: insertion and remuneration policies, strategies and qualification of employees. The insertion and remuneration policy highlightsthe replacement of outsourced frames and hiring by public tender that allows links labor more stable. Other strategies are the establishment of allowance for expertise in areas of greater social vulnerability and the assimilation of specialists in Family and Community Medicine with other experts engaged in secondary services. The political will of municipal Manager to qualify the workforce of family health, maintaining the provision of adequate human resources needs of the health system is a fundamental factor for the consolidation of family health strategy in the face of the low degree of specialization of professionals to work in primary health care.(AU)

Desafios para gestão do trabalho a partir de experiências exitosas de expansão da Estratégia de Saúde da Família / Challenges for human resources management from successful experiences of Family Health Strategy expansion

Este artigo discute a gestão do trabalho na Estratégia de Saúde da Família em quatro grandes centros urbanos. A pesquisa contempla as perspectivas de diferentes atores que compõem e integram a rede de relações de trabalho no Sistema Único de Saúde por meio de questionários com trabalhadores das categorias profissionais da equipe de saúde da família e entrevistas com gestores e representantes das entidades profissionais. Tratase de estudo de avaliação qualiquantitativo. A política de inserção e remuneração evidencia a substituição dos quadros terceirizados e a contratação por concurso público, que possibilita vínculos trabalhistas mais estáveis. Outras estratégias são o estabelecimento de abono para atuação em áreas de maior vulnerabilidade social e a equiparação do salário dos médicos especialistas em medicina de família e comunidade com demais especialistas atuantes nos serviços secundários. A vontade política do gestor municipal para qualificar a força de trabalho da saúde da família, mantendo a oferta de recursos humanos adequados às necessidades do sistema de saúde, é fator fundamental para a consolidação da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, em face do baixo grau de especialização dos profissionais para atuar em atenção primária em saúde.(AU)

This article discusses the management of the work in Family Health Strategy in four major urban centers. The research includes perspectives from different actors who compose and integrate the network of working relationships in Public Health System through questionnaires with employees of professional categories family health team and interviews with managers and representatives of professional bodies. It is a qualitative-quantitative evaluation study. The dimensions analysed were: insertion and remuneration policies, strategies and qualification of employees. The insertion and remuneration policy highlights the replacement of outsourced frames and hiring by public tender that allows links labor more stable. Other strategies are the establishment of allowance for expertise in areas of greater social vulnerability and the assimilation of specialists in Family and Community Medicine with other experts engaged in secondary services. The political will of municipal Manager to qualify the workforce of family health, maintaining the provision of adequate human resources needs of the health system is a fundamental factor for the consolidation of family health strategy in the face of the low degree of specialization of professionals to work in primary health care.(AU)

Desafios à coordenação dos cuidados em saúde: estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais em grandes centros urbanos / Challenges for healthcare coordination: strategies for integrating levels of care in large cities

O artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de coordenação desde a Estratégia Saúde da Família aos demais níveis do sistema de saúde com foco em medidas pró-coordenação vinculadas à "integração entre níveis assistenciais". Os resultados obtidos em estudos de casos realizados em quatro grandes centros urbanos apontaram que estão presentes mecanismos de integração entre níveis assistenciais, indicando preocupação com a garantia de atenção integral. As principais estratégias identificadas foram: criação e fortalecimento de estruturas regulatórias no interior das Secretarias Municipais de Saúde e nas unidades de saúde da família com descentralização de funções para o nível local, organização dos fluxos, prontuários eletrônicos e ampliação da oferta de serviços especializados municipais. Contudo, a falta de integração entre diferentes prestadores, a insuficiência de fluxos formais para atenção hospitalar e a ausência de políticas para média complexidade foram apontadas como entraves à garantia do cuidado integral, tornando incompleto o processo de integração da rede.(AU)

This article analyzes the development of instruments for coordination between the Family Health Strategy and other levels in the health system, with a focus on measures to promote coordination linked to the "integration among levels of care". The results of case studies in four large cities indicate the presence of mechanism for integration among levels of care, suggesting concern with guaranteeing comprehensive care. The principal strategies identified here were: creation and strengthening of regulatory structures in the Municipal Health Secretariats and family health units with decentralization of roles to the local level, organization of flows, electronic patient charts, and expansion in the supply of specialized services at the municipal level. However, lack of integration among different providers, insufficient formal flows for hospital care, and absence of policies for medium complexity care were detected as barriers to the guarantee of comprehensive care, making the network's integration incomplete.(AU)

Desafios à coordenação dos cuidados em saúde: estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais em grandes centros urbanos / Challenges for healthcare coordination: strategies for integrating levels of care in large cities

O artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de coordenação desde a Estratégia Saúde da Família aos demais níveis do sistema de saúde com foco em medidas pró-coordenação vinculadas à "integração entre níveis assistenciais". Os resultados obtidos em estudos de casos realizados em quatro grandes centros urbanos apontaram que estão presentes mecanismos de integração entre níveis assistenciais, indicando preocupação com a garantia de atenção integral. As principais estratégias identificadas foram: criação e fortalecimento de estruturas regulatórias no interior das Secretarias Municipais de Saúde e nas unidades de saúde da família com descentralização de funções para o nível local, organização dos fluxos, prontuários eletrônicos e ampliação da oferta de serviços especializados municipais. Contudo, a falta de integração entre diferentes prestadores, a insuficiência de fluxos formais para atenção hospitalar e a ausência de políticas para média complexidade foram apontadas como entraves à garantia do cuidado integral, tornando incompleto o processo de integração da rede.