This study sought to understand the specificities and potential of popular health education (PHE) as a guiding principle for primary health care actions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. We carried out a qualitative exploratory study using data from semi-structured interviews conducted with five social actors who were members of national PHE collectives. The findings show that PHE has strengthened collective working and given rise to new articulations, showing itself to be a powerful practice for creating affiliation with and in the territory. In addition, information and communication technologies are considered important allies. We conclude that PHE, whose underlying premises include horizontal dialogue and the problematization of reality, continues to be effective within primary care.
Keywords
Popular health education; Coronavirus; Primary health care; Social mobilization; Community action