Editorial

Abstract

With this third issue in 2004, Saúde e Sociedade accomplishes its proposal of three publications per year, firming itself as an important scientific magazine with discussions and reflections that contribute to the advancement of public health, in a multi and inter scientific way, as a technical and social practice. In this issue we can highlight articles that contribute to themes as integrality, humanization and health care that respond for the crisis in health practices nowadays, as appointed by Ayres in his article. These themes contrast with the expressive scientific and technological development together with the serious limitations to respond to health needs of individuals and of the community. The analysis of those themes, through a philosophical and hermeneutical viewpoint, allow us to understand that philosophic and scientific points of view are crucial for their understanding. The reflections made by Costa; Forte; Reis & cols indicate the challenges for public health because of the complexity of health care. Health care surpasses the frontiers of the usual contribution of natural sciences, as well as those of technology application. In this context we locate the present day discussion of humanization as a health policy and as a strategy of health promotion, as indicated by Martins and Bógus. Besides the discussion of those themes, the reader may approach others, closely related, as the relations between body, health and culture, analyzed by Andrade and cols. Also the issue of elderly care, approached in two articles by Mazza & Lefevre and by Svezzia E Trenck. With this, editors and members of the Editorial Commission of Saúde e Sociedade understand the contribution for the field of Public Health that must be recognized as that of natural and social sciences. Scientific and empirical knowledge must be reinforced in public health to enrich and to drive its practices.