NATIONAL HEALTH SISTEM: HISTORICAL LANDMARKS AND LEGAL POLICY OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY IN BRAZIL

Public health in Brazil went through periods of great changes until the creation of the Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS) in 1988. This study aims to describe the main historical and legal milestones that were the basis of this Public Health Policy, SUS. It is a literature review that describes facts in the country's history that were responsible for fundamental changes in access to health care for Brazilians. For many years, care for the sick was performed only by the Santas Casas de Misericordia, by the Catholic Church, as acts of charity. Epidemic control actions were restricted to the State. In 1923, access to public health started to be linked to the contribution of Brazilian workers to social security. This model remained from 1923 until 1988, with the creation of SUS by the Federal Constitution. SUS was the result of one of the most articulated struggles of Brazilian civil society, allowing the discussion of health to go beyond technical issues. Involving students, researchers, unions and community entities, health was defined as a fundamental human right to guarantee citizenship.The threat to SUS is a threat to history, years of struggle and collective construction.