EDUCATIONAL RADIO AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN COMMUNICATION, HEALTH AND EDUCATION: REFLECTIONS FROM A REGIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the role of the mass media (MCM), with a focus on educational radios, in the context of the Brazilian Health System. Social participation, one of the central pillars of the system, presupposes the involvement of society in the allocation of resources and definition of priorities in different spheres. Educational radios emerge as mediating tools between health services and the population, promoting education and the exercise of citizenship. The study explores the impact of new information and communication technologies on the reconfiguration of media spaces and their implications for public health. In addition, it highlights the importance of disseminating health information as a right guaranteed by the 1988 Constitution. Using the educational radio station Cultura FM 99.3 MHz as a case study, we analyzed how this station operates in Nova Alta Paulista-SP, promoting social integration and awareness. The intersection between Communication and Health, based on practices such as those of the Ottawa Charter, is approached as strategic to expand the frontiers of public health. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for a continuous dialogue between the fields of Communication and Public Health, aiming to strengthen educational actions and democratize access to quality information.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.029-052