title: [Communication and citizenship empowerment in health care: a case of action-research in a polarized Venezuela].
abstract: An action-research project was implemented in Venezuela from 2009-2013 to empower social activists and patients in their fight against breast cancer (BC). The project was implemented in a context of high political and social polarization of the so-called «Bolivarian revolution». Based on an ecological perspective of health activism and communication, that encompasses the interpersonal, group and social levels, a series of activities were celebrated to develop the advocacy capabilities of citizens, especially women, expand the collaborative networks among different stakeholders, and promote a consensual view between social and institutional actors about a national response to fight BC. A horizontal and participatory communication allowed that the voice of usually marginalized actors was heard in the process of shaping health care policy.
authors.affiliation: http://arts.uottawa.ca/communication/en/people/nahon-serfaty-isaac , Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of Ottawa (Canadá).
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nahón Serfaty
authors.affiliation: http://www.mahmoudeid.ca/index.html , Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of Ottawa (Canadá).
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eid
keywords: Venezuela; communication; empowerment; health