Brazilian public policies for elderly patients.
Marcia Regina Martins Alvarenga, Maria Amélia Campos de Oliveira, Maria Angélica Mendes, Maria Pilar Torres Egea, Esperanza Ballesteros Pérez.

SUMMARY

Recent different studies show that Brazilian population aging is irreversible. Evaluation of the elderly health care needs by health professionals is essential to the management of the available resources. The aim of this article is to describe the Brazilian Unified Health Care System and the public policies for elderly. In spite of the lack of an integrated health care network to provide health care to meet the needs of the elderly population, Brazilian legislation is improving, foreseeing the health promotion and protection of older people.

KEY WORDS

   Health systems, health public policy, elderly.

Vol. 20 nº2-2009