Principles invoked in a population-based health policy: The case of water fluoridation in Brazil

Abstract

The objective was to identify principles invoked in a population-based health policy, taking as case a legislative proposal aimed at revoking water fluoridation in Brazil presented in 2003. We conducted a descriptive study through documentary research on records generated in the course of the Bill proposal No. 510/2003 in the Federal Chamber of Deputies. We highlighted discourse strategies used by the actors as per their own interests and the conflicting context by utilizing historical institutionalism as theoretical ground. The proposal was debated for 13 months, going through the House Plenary, three committees, and was finally filed. Three deputies from different parties, federal executive agencies, regulatory agencies, and entities representing dental, public/collective health, sanitary engineering, and sanitation companies participated directly in the debate in which the principles of intervention security, economic costs and the right to health emerged. Regarding the discourse strategies used, the main elements invoked in the debate on population-based health policy were: the principle of uncertainty, creating false scientific categories in order to overvalue unfavorable effects and to support the implementation of individualizing measures; and the moral principles that define different types of economic goods and dimensions of freedom associated with the exercise of rights.