Health in School Program: Practicing Intersectorality on a Territorial Basis for the Future of Health in All Policies

Abstract

The Health in School program provides a concrete experience of intersectorality, with national characteristics, developed by the government of Brazil through the Ministries of Health and Education, following the international tendencies of seeking to make health happen in all policies. The program aims to make schools educational spaces for health promotion on a territorial basis, with the participation of various local actors. This case in particular portrays the experience of the municipality of Guarulhos in the state of São Paulo, including a universe of more than 250,000 students and more than 250 schools of the municipal and state public education network. Since 2007, the program has developed from three components: (1) assessment of health conditions, (2) health promotion and prevention of injuries, and (3) training. It is directly benefiting thousands of children, youth, and adults, including teachers, as well as, indirectly, the families of the students, with quite significant results, such as increased vaccine coverage, adoption of more sustainable habits and practices, and improvements in visual acuity. The development of the program involved the Health Department—Municipality of Guarulhos in São Paulo in partnership with the Municipal Secretary of Education, regional directorates of education in Guarulhos North and South, and Environmental Education Center of Guarulhos (CEAG), including other sectors such as indirectly other secretariats, private initiatives and various nongovernmental organizations.