The purpose of this study was to reflect theoretically on the theme of health education and how it interfaces with health promotion. It consists of a theoretical-reflexive study aimed at comparing these practices to the concepts elaborated in the Letter of Ottawa, the pedagogy of liberation of Paulo Freire, empowerment and culture, here comprehended as key elements guiding the activity of the nurse in health education in actions performed by health services. In order to take this reflexive path, the authors analyzed the interrelationships of these theoretical interfaces and their approaches to health promotion practices. From this presented theoretical framework, it is possible to reflect on the possibilities of extending care, based on the premise that all moments comprising interaction with patients of health services must be considered an opportunity to develop health education actions, considering the knowledge of nurses characterized as social actors who are responsible for the events that take place in the health scenario.

The study aimed to compare the experiences with the organization of universal public healthcare systems in relation to health promotion in primary care units in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This was a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach in primary care units. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews containing questions on health promotion practices, with 25 health professionals in Florianópolis and 10 in Toronto. The data were discussed using thematic analysis, identifying the practices, difficulties, and facilities in health promotion. In the two cities, 60% of health professionals and health administrators had not received any specific knowledge on health promotion during their training. As for health promotion skills, health professionals in Toronto identified them with autonomy and social determinants, while in Florianópolis they were related to health education and community participation. In both cities, health promotion practices are targeted to individual and collective activities. The motivation to act comes from interdisciplinarity and the demands raised by the population. Health promotion is a relevant form of care and stimulus for individual and community autonomy, in light of social determinants. Such practices aim at comprehensive health for the community, but there are limits in the teams that still conduct disease-centered activities. Resources are limited, requiring inter-sector actions to improve quality of life. Healthcare centers on the hegemonic model, and progress is needed to achieve a positive approach to health and social determinants.

RESUMO Objetivo: apresentar a aplicabilidade da Escala de Braden na percepção dos enfermeiros da atenção primária, e identificar as medidas de prevenção, e promoção da saúde de modo evitar o desenvolvimento da lesão por pressão. Método: pesquisa Convergente assistencial, realizada num distrito sanitário do Sul do Brasil, com 20 enfermeiros. A coleta de dados ocorreu em julho de 2014, através de entrevista e de uma prática educativa na forma de oficina temática intitulada “Diga não à lesão por pressão, prevenir é o melhor cuidado”. A análise foi através da fase de apreensão, síntese, teorização e transferência. Resultados: da prática educativa culminaram duas categorias: Percepções e expectativas quanto ao uso da Escala de Braden na atenção primária, sendo esta revelada como uma importante ferramenta no reconhecimento das pessoas vulneráveis; e Desvelar as práticas de promoção da saúde e medidas de prevenção para evitar a lesão por pressão, tendo esta as aspirações voltadas a um adequado direcionamento dos cuidados na busca por melhorar a qualidade de vida. Conclusão: conclui-se que uma avaliação adequada, um plano de cuidados que possa prevenir a lesão por pressão, assim como práticas que promovam saúde, configuram-se como possibilidades criativas versus desafios, na inclusão de um novo paradigma na atenção primária.

This qualitative study aimed to analyze the potential and limits of popular participation in local health councils through Paulo Freire's research itinerary. Eleven members of a local health council of a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina participated in this study. There were five culture circles and research revealed six themes: possibilities for the practice of citizenship; establishment of an educational space; intention to make decisions that represent the collective; lack of knowledge regarding the council's responsibilities; lack of community participation; and discredit. Results point to the need to understand the roles of the counselors and of the local health councils to strengthen actions of health promotion. Based on ideas and exchanges of experiences among the council participants, we noticed the creation of dialog zones and the understanding of the exercise of power, which strengthened dialog in these public spaces.

Topics that can stimulate dialogue among the members of the culture circles include creating an environment of closer cultural contact, with repercussions for work processes, family health models, and general health models, as well as the inclusion of social aspects in the decision-making processes related to health issues that affect the living conditions of the population.