The objective of this article is to discuss the threats to public health, by taking into consideration the arguments of Funtowicz et al. (1997, 1994) about issues related to the complexity and uncertainties of the studies, evaluation and management of the threats to public health that have been observed in the relationship between public health and the vulnerability of social groups. The prevailing discourse on public health uses statistical data, which reduce illness to a biologically determined case relation, do not take into account the history of society and holds individuals responsible for their health conditions. We intend to show that, as a dynamic process, health requires a new approach to consider these issues. Socially-excluded groups have weak capacity to react and, maybe due to it, they are more likely to get sick. Consequently, discussing the complexity of the studies, evaluation and management of threats to public health would avoid any type of reductionism or determinism.
social vulnerability; complexity; uncertainty and public health
