Public Participation in Health: From Ideas to Action in Portugal

Abstract

In Portugal, participation in health is framed from the normative point of view, in particular, at the political and institutional level. Despite the efforts of some decision-makers to promote public participation in health, it has proved to be insufficient. It is in this context - one in which the benefits of participation are recognised but mechanisms capable of guaranteeing participation in health decision-making processes are lacking - that the ``MORE PARTICIPATION better health{''} initiative appears. This aims to claim the institution-alization of participatory mechanisms responding to the aspirations of a wide range of health activists, but also of the Portuguese population in general, who claim the right to be involved in a regular and effective way in health decisions that affect them.