Participatory process for mapping socio-environmental determinants of health by community agents: Contributions to urban management and planning

Studies about socio-environmental determinants are recognized as important to better understand the factors that influence health and quality of life, how they operate generate inequalities. This article reports mapping health, carried out by community agents from Paraisópolis, second-largest slum in city São Paulo (state Paulo), seeking analyze potential contributions this participatory process urban management planning. As part an action research study following stages Freire’s Research Itinerary (Culture Circles), was integrating Talking Map technique with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), what has been called Participatory GIS or Social Participation (PGIS). Positive aspects were addressed agents, well several situations vulnerability a result agglomerated nature place, directly related planning needs. shows that, through process, citizens cannot only identify, but also more effectively communicate their needs qualify intervention strategies territory. Therefore, it is possible address residents’ priorities representatively, especially places where traditionally marginalized social groups live. And also, who play central role because live work same fundamental boost, mobilize, support complex involved, both Primary Health Care,