Abstract

VALENTIM, Igor Vinicius Lima  and  KRUEL, Alexandra Jochims. The importance of interpersonal trust for the consolidation of Brazil's Family Health Program. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.3, pp. 777-788. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232007000300028.

Brazil is characterized by significant social and economic discrepancies. Although guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution as a universal social right, healthcare is a major challenge for the State, constituting one of the cruelest types of inequality in Brazil. Designed to even out these inequalities, Brazil's National Health System (SUS) is ruled by principles that include universal access and all-round care. Developed by the Brazilian Government as a tool for implementing these principles, the Family Health Program is a management strategy for its National Health Policy. This paper analyzes the importance of trust between the main players in this Program as a crucial factor for its consolidation as a strategy for reorganizing this system. Theoretical input on trust and Government health policies served as the basis for this analysis, built up by the network of relationships among those most deeply engaged with this Program. After examining the many different relationships among the players, we conclude that trust is significant and relevant for all of them but, more particularly for the Community Health Agents who form the main links between the assisted population and other players in this process.

Keywords : Health; Government policies; Trust; Family Health Program.