This study aimed to get to know the representation of right to health made by users of a health care unit at the city of Valença, state of Rio de Janeiro. A qualitative approach was used, data was collected through semi-structured interviews and organized according to thematic analysis of the content, based on the theoretical asssumptions of the theory of social representations. The users represent the right to health as something legally established, but the lack of community organization and of commitment of public authorities and professionals reflect negatively on its full establishment. The representation of the right to health in this study is related to the full operation of the health unit, to equality and equity in access to the health services being offered, and this representation points to need for actions that make the the health service user as protagonist in fulfilling this right.
qualitative research; right to health; health care