BODY PRACTICES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN BRAZIL’S UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM: THE NEED TO GO BEYOND CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to argue that body practices and physical activities offered by Primary Health Care under the Unified Health System are not restricted to activities for chronic disease prevention – without ignoring the importance of such actions. These are reflections and ideas that may contribute for Primary Health Care workers to help individuals and communities to improve their health through those practices. Thus, body practices and physical activity are understood in a broader sense, especially as encounters, coexistence, education, as well as strengthening of social groups in the territories by creating and/or enhancing bonds among subjects and between them and health workers and services.