PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES IN BRAZILIAN EDUCATION

Abstract

Including Public and Environmental Health Sciences in Brazilian education is essential for fostering citizenship and improving collective quality of life. Contemporary society is marked by social inequalities, environmental challenges, and recurring public health issues, which position schools as key spaces for critical awareness and preventive education. The integration of health, environment, and education enables a deeper understanding of the social determinants of illness and supports the construction of more sustainable futures. In this sense, the school becomes a place of learning, awareness, and social transformation, aligning educational practices with current Brazilian needs. The general objective of this study is to analyze the role occupied by Public and Environmental Health Sciences within the Brazilian educational framework, highlighting their contributions to critical, preventive, and socio-environmental formative processes. The research adopts a qualitative approach through a bibliographic study, based on the critical analysis of books, scientific articles, official documents, and academic publications related to Public Health, Environmental Health, and Education. The results indicate that integrating Public and Environmental Health Sciences into education contributes to the development of healthy habits and sustainable attitudes. Interdisciplinary practices strengthen students’ awareness of collective health and environmental care, positioning the school as an ideal space for educational and preventive actions. Therefore, incorporating these themes into the school curriculum reinforces education’s social commitment and is fundamental to human and societal development.