title: [Democracy and participation of individuals as citizens: a debate on health education practices].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Brasil. eglidiavidal@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Eglídia Carla Figueirêdo
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Klívia Regina de Oliveira
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Saraiva
authors.forename: Regina Claúdia Melo
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dodt
authors.forename: Neiva Francenely Cunha
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Maria Grasiela Teixeira
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Barroso
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation; D003709:Democracy; D006266:Health Education