Popular Health Education and COVID-19: challenges from the perspective of protagonists in national collectives

Brito, Pedro Nascimento Araujo; Fontes, Edgar da Silva; Nascimento, Raquel Veloso do; Barbosa, Daniella de Souza; Cruz, Pedro Jose Santos Carneiro

doi:10.1590/1980-6248-2024-0038BR

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ARTICLES • Pro-Posições 36 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-6248-2024-0038EN linkcopy

Popular Health Education and COVID-19: challenges from the perspective of protagonists in national collectives

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Abstract

The study analyzes, through the lens of Popular Health Education (PHE), the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the experiences of Brazilian PHE collectives. Four summary ideas were developed: the exacerbation of structural and social vulnerabilities due to the pandemic context; limitations in access to and proficiency with technology for communication among actors; limited intersectoral and intersubjective communication, resulting in weak coordination and partnerships; and the effects of the pandemic in worsening crises and contradictions within the reality of Primary Health Care. In light of the complexity and structural depth of the challenges discussed, a social response is made possible through dialogue, social control, and collective mobilization.

Keywords
Popular Health Education; coronavirus; Unified Health System; Primary Health Care; social mobilization

Synthesizing Ideas	Meaning Cores
Exacerbation of structural and social vulnerabilities due to the pandemic context	Intensification of social inequalities as a consequence of the health crisis
	Structural and social challenges within services and communities that hinder compliance with biosafety protocols
Limitations in access to and technological proficiency for communication among actors	Limited access to and use of technological tools for remote communication
	Challenges in verifying the credibility of the vast amount of information circulated during the pandemic due to fake news
Limited intersectoral and intersubjective communication, with constraints on coordination and partnerships	Communication difficulties among health team members
	Weak coordination among grassroots social movements
	Scarcity of PHE initiatives to mediate dialogue within community context
	Resistance to dialogue between community and health units in everyday service delivery
Effects of the pandemic on the intensification of crises and contradictions in the reality of PHS	Work overload among health professionals due to increased demand and reduced staffing
	Difficulty ensuring the safety of SUS users and health professionals in the COVID-19 epidemiological context
	Worsening of PHC underfunding
	Difficulty maintaining continuity of care during the pandemic
	Feelings of fear and uncertainty in response to the severity of the pandemic context

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