The Family Health Program (PSF) was the strategy chosen by the Brazilian Ministry of Health to replace the prevailing Brazilian health care model. Almost ten years after the Program was launched, implementation is highly heterogeneous: lack of coverage in large cities, especiany in the State capitais, but also in very sman municipalities (or counties) that are unprepared for the municipal management modalities required under the Unified Health System (SUS). The Program's expansion into these two areas has encountered specific constraints, but also potentiany advantageous situations. Due to the large population contingent in Brazilian State capitais, coverage there proves essential for the defini tive consolidation of the proposed health care model, but for this to happen the PSF win have to overcome problems arising from its relations with stakeholders in new areas, besides using such available advantages as the academic community for continuing training and education.
Family Health Program; Family Health; Basic Health Care; Coverage; Urbanization