[Green, healthy environments: training of community health agents in the city of São Paulo, Brazil]

Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2010 Nov;28(5):399-404.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe the training of community health agents (ACSs) in the context of an intersectorial initiative (Green, Healthy Environments Project: Building Integrated Public Policies in the City of São Paulo). The initiative was developed by four city departments--Environment, Health, Social Support and Development, and Education--in collaboration with the city's 31 superintendencies and five regional health administrations. In addition to these municipal bodies, a network of partners was established, including institutions involved in multilateral international technical cooperation and academic institutions. The training of ACSs and social support agents, and the development of community programs that take into account local potential and characteristics was the main objective of the network. The locally integrated management for the development of an agenda of protection and promotion of green, healthy environments was carried out inside the previously existing networks operating in the territories close to public primary care health units serving populations covered by the Family Health Strategy. There currently are 705 programs created by the Green, Healthy Environments Project. These programs serve as evidence of the positive results obtained locally through intersectorial management efforts.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Community Health Workers / education*
  • Environmental Health*
  • Humans
  • Urban Health*