This article analyzes the deployment of the Family Health Support Centre as a strategy under the Brazilian primary health care policy, regards the national guidelines and local implementation. The study focuses on two objectives: the description of the Nasf and its national implementation; and the development of two local case studies in Rio de Janeiro State. The results showed that Nasf growth has been expressive, yet unequal, both nationwide and in Rio de Janeiro. The local implementation process varied according to the context, the management conditions, the primary health care characteristics and to political decisions made by local actors.
Primary Health Care; Family Health Strategy; Public health Policy; Unified Health System
Nota: IBGE (dados populacionais), Sala de Apoio à Gestão Estratégica do Ministério da Saúde (Cobertura estimada da Estratégia Saúde da Família) e pesquisa de campo (análise de documentos municipais e entrevistas).