Working with Youth toward Healthier Communities in the Context of Health Promotion: Perspectives from Brazil

Abstract

Healthy community development relies, to a great extent, on youth development in the context of health promotion, the new paradigm orienting the establishment of the Brazilian public health system-Unified Health System (Portuguese acronym, SUS). Healthy lifestyle constitute an element of health promotion and has also been an object of much controversy as it relates directly to the concept of self-responsibility, which is perceived by some as a ＂blaming the victim＂ approach to the phenomenon. This paper contends that the promotion of healthy lifestyles must be discussed in depth and health promotion will be better achieved as health professionals embrace the idea of engaging youth in community building. Particular attention must be given to the insertion of Physical Education (PE) in health systems globally, an experience that is currently going on in Brazil. PE may bring new perspectives in how to socially produce health, which can be particularly important for treating problems traditionally linked to youth health such as involvement with drugs, violence, early pregnancy, and obesity and overweight. Health policy for youth, with the help of PE, can potentiate youth participation in community life and impact positively on the health problems faced by youth today.