Health Surveillance and health promotion: notes for beyond regulation and control

Abstract

This article seeks to discuss the interfaces between Health Surveillance (HS) and Health Promotion (HP) in order to demonstrate that the actions of VISA have a wider sense than its best-known dimension of regulation and control. As a methodology, a mapping of the concepts and ideas from authors of both fields was realized by exploiting the interrelationships between principles guiding the work of HS with the proposals of health promotion, through descriptions and analyses. As results, were identified potentialities, made explicit by various authors, that action of is wider than its coercive dimension of regulation and control, important functions, however inadequate. In the study of Health Promotion were highlighted guidelines which are also intrinsic to the work of HS, such as the intersectoral approach, interdisciplinarity, social participation and action on social determinants, with the goal of equity. Aspects of Biopolitics common to these two fields were highlighted and discussed. As final considerations, it was pointed out that the approximation of elements of promotional paradigm with the actions of HS is possible and essential for a full development of its object, that is, minimize risks and improve the quality of life of individuals and populations.