Abstract
This research deals with the role of psychologists in public policy in four health units in Salvador, Bahia. It aims at identifying the existence of practices that fight against institutional racism. The study is qualitative, with seven audio-recorded interviews with semi-structured scripts. After transcription, content analysis articulated with studies on institutional racism and public policies in the socio-historical perspective was carried out. It was possible to identify the absence of specific practices to fight against institutional racism and to reveal the need for investing in the discussion of race relations aiming at developing critical thinking among health professionals about racism. Thus, the importance of psychology for the construction of social commitment and legitimacy of citizens’ rights is reassured. Despite the official existence of the program to fight against institutional racism in SUS, the issue continues without visibility in psychology training and practice.
Keywords:
institutional racism; public policy; psychology; public health