The construction of new paradigms and practices in health and nursing, directed to an effective exercise of social rights is an actual challenge. The present study is a contribution to solve this challenge. Looking at nursing knowledge, authors reflect on a way of interpreting the needs in health. Based on a discution about human needs and their relationship with the health work, they analyse them following the direction of Wanda de Aguiar Horta's theory. They emphasize the importance of human autonomy/selfvaluing and the interpretation of needs based on the consideration of people who receive and give health care and of the social context.
nursing care; needs in health; nursing knowledge