Territorial perspective, regionalization and networks: An approach to federative Republic of Brazil’s health policy

Abstract

This paper argues that the regionalization of health care in the Federative Republic of Brazil requires the deepening of territorial approach in public policies and the contextualization of sectorial interventions in local development initiatives. Analyzing the regionalization strategy in recent history, in its political objectives, the article identifies aspects of the federative nature of public management in Brazil and concepts of territory and networks as political processes, which may contribute to understanding of the scenario where regional responses to local problems are formulated. Building homogeneous networks of services all over the country is questioned as the best answer, in favor of a territorial planning - participatory and guided by public interest - oriented by the understanding of the health-disease process and the health situation to be achieved in each place.