Health protagonism in social inclusion projects at Santo André (SP)

Abstract

Faced with the economic—fi nancial limitations of governments within the global context, the possibility of local government bringing about effective solutions of social and urban problems is questioned. During the past three municipal governments of Santo André the inclusion of several popular sectors, excluded from the rights of citizenship by means of local protagonism was possible. Several projects were undertaken involving social participation, attention to vulnerable segments and new institutional arrangements, to coordinate government actions and
governability for integrating distinct policies of social and urban environment. Within these initiatives we can highlight the transversal projects and programs, seeking to reach populations in a vulnerable situation. In these programs and government action, health is at the forefront, articulating the structure of health policy with the social demands for more rights. This article, by relating projects of social inclusion in Santo André, analyzes the trends and limitations of popular participation in the health sector