This paper analyzes the current situation and the perspectives of the Health Planning and Management (P & M) area in the academic field in Brazil. Its main purpose is to support the establishment of political and institutional alliances among the existing Health P & M groups in the Brazilian Schools, Institutes and Departments of Public Health. It begins reviewing determinants and results of the efforts toward the development of solid connections between the institutions of the area in the 1980's and the early 1990's. Then, it shows the results of a survey conducted in 40 P & M groups of 26 academic institutions in 1995, aimed at identifying the scope of P & M area in Brazil, taking into account the thematic areas and themes addressed by research projects, teaching activities and interinstitutional technical cooperation efforts. This paper also ranks the thematic areas based on the frequency in which their associated keywords are mentioned in the answers to the survey. A general overview of the research, teaching and technical cooperation activities in the Health Planning and Management area is given. Finally, the observed trends in the area are discussed, considering the theoretical and methodological problems and challenges incurred by the implementation process of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).
Health Planning; Health Management; Public Health; Research; Teaching and Technical Cooperation in Public Health