Health promotion from the social ecological perspective

Abstract

Objective: To identify and to analyse the main publications that had as theoretical base the ecological model applied to the context of health promotion. Methods: A search on this theme was accomplished, in both national and international levels, on the virtual data basis Scielo, Highwire press and Medline, for articles published in the period of May, 2000 and May, 2007. The key-words used were social ecology, ecological approach and ecological perspective in Portuguese and English. Results: The data indicates that the model is used in both theoretical and empiric studies, prevailing publications of international range. The studies were selected and grouped according to the publication date, type of the study, its origin and relevance of the theme. Conclusion: During the researched period, the publications on the theme of social ecological perspective were mainly international, with only one article published in Brazil, evidencing the need of studies and knowledge of it by the health area.