[Democracy and participation of individuals as citizens: a debate on health education practices].
Democracy and citizen's participation are part of several aspects of life, and are required in health education, representing the necessary connection to the satisfaction of this practice. Discourse and practices of health education in health services are discussed in this article according to two main categories: 1) democracy and citizenship, and 2) participation of individuals as citizens. One of the strategies used by health professionals to provide the individuals autonomy as health promoters is strengthening the individuals' capacity to participate in decisions that affects them. In order to consolidate popular participation as a democratic ideal a critical professional attitude, based on the combination of full citizenship with liberty, participation, and equality, is required.
Vidal
Eglídia Carla Figueirêdo
EC
Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Brasil. eglidiavidal@hotmail.com
Saraiva
Klívia Regina de Oliveira
KR
Dodt
Regina Claúdia Melo
RC
Vieira
Neiva Francenely Cunha
NF
Barroso
Maria Grasiela Teixeira
MG
D003256:Community Participation; D003709:Democracy; D006266:Health Education