Public Health in a Globalized World: breaking down social, economic, and political barriers. The theme of the 8th Brazilian Congress on Collective Health and the 11th World Congress on Public Health is an invitation to build answers to the key challenges in the field of social development and the protection and promotion of health and life. The theme’s relevance, complexity, scope, and currency both renew and encourage the discussion and expand the capacity to call on other governmental and nongovernmental sectors (beyond that of Health) at the national and international levels.

We Brazilians are less than two months from our National and State elections. This is the moment for us to move forward with the debate on ideas and projects in defense of democracy, social justice, and development, the
determinants and driving forces of health.

In some countries of Latin America, the results of recent elections are a renewed reflection of the desire for changes in the three dimensionshighlighted by the central theme of our Congress.

At the global level, despite the technical and scientific advances that have expanded our range of preventive and
therapeutic measures, and although the economic and social development in many industrialized countries has increased life expectancy and improved quality of life for large population contingents, poverty, hunger, preventable
diseases, and violence continue to jeopardize health and life for three quarters of the world population.

In fact, the solution to many problems requires strengthening our ties of cooperation and the establishment of a broad and renewed agenda with other international organizations and social movements for human development
at the world level. Social organizations worldwide have been joining together to build strategies to counteract
the institutions, multinational corporations, and even governments that prioritize return on financial capital
to the detriment of investments in health, education, and other social policies.

Twenty years ago, the 8th National Health Conference (Brasilia, 1986) defined the principles and foundations for
structuring Brazil’s current Unified National Health System (SUS). It was also 20 years ago that the 1st International
Conference on Health Promotion launched the Ottawa Charter, a milestone for building healthy public policies.

We acknowledge important advances in the organization of our health system, although its fundamental principles
(democratic, equitable, and universal) have only been partially achieved. As a protagonist in this struggle since it was
created in the late 1970s, ABRASCO has reiterated its commitment to the development of research, teaching, and health services. ABRASCO’s work in establishing the National Forum of Coordinators of Graduate Studies Programs in Collective Health and the Forum of the Brazilian Health Reform reaffirm its presence in the formulation and
evaluation of health policies.

The Brazilian Collective Health community has always shown the conviction that the Health Reform process and the consolidation of the National Health System would be long and complex. In a country full of social inequalities, it would be unrealistic to expect that such a comprehensive project would be achieved through a brief or pleasant process.

As the result of dialogue between ABRASCO and the WFPHA, we are holding the World Congress on Public Health for the first time in South America. In its eleventh edition, this international forum highlights the historical
commitment of these two institutions in the development of social policies aimed at overcoming inequalities and
building a more just, equitable, and healthy society.

In the five days we have ahead, our congresses – Brazilian and World – convene approximately ten thousand participants. Ministers of Health and national and international health managers, teachers, researchers, professionals, and leaders will lead this meeting in solidarity for health, an inalienable right for all.

Our program consists of conferences, debates, panels, workshops, and forums, together with the nearly seven thousand studies presented in simultaneous sessions and poster displays. Adding to these activities is a space reserved for national and international institutions – the Expo Health International – an invitation for reunion, fellowship, and exchange of cultures and ideas, of products and projects for life and health.

The expressive participation and maturity of the field of Public and Collective Health in the Congress program express the will of all
members to propose and experience changes.

Welcome to the 8th Brazilian Congress on Collective Health and the 11th World Congress on Public Health!

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!

Paulo Gadelha
President of Abrasco


Greetings from the President of WFPHA

Greetings from the Coordinator of the Scientific Committee

Congress Promoters

Scientific Committee