Public health educational projects in Brazil: revealing the influence of contexts - social, political and of the world of work - over time

Abstract

This article analyzes the breadth of experiences of educational projects in Public Health/ Collective Health in Brazil, with an emphasis on contextual elements, so as to point out characteristics and key questions present in the Brazilian experience of this mode of education. The work and education of sanitarians are traced historically, and their contradictions, alignments and perspectives identified. This will be discussed over six different historical periods starting in 1889, on the basis of the following analytical categories: a) socio-political conjunction; b) sanitarians practice; c) educational projects; and d) institutionalization and organization of public health. An analytical table is presented and discussed. Based on it, evidence of the mutual influence over time of socio-health contexts, educational projects and sanitarians world of work is pointed out. The challenge is to provide a counter-hegemonic education vis-à-vis the capitalist model, and that Public Health/Collective Health graduates manage to position themselves and work within this perspective. Making adaptations to the educational project seems valid. However, it may not be enough to alter structural tensions, since the political and economic setting has historically determined ‘for what’, ‘where’, ‘how’ and ‘for whom’ sanitarians work.