This article aims at contributing to a detailed examination of the experiences of social control. According to the register of the municipal health councils in Brazil (2006), almost one third of the presidents of the health councils in Pará are representatives of the segment of users. The analysis developed from interviews with the presidents of two councils allows to understand the challenges facing health councils so that they can participate in the formulation and implementation of strategies for health policy function as it is established in 1988's Federal Constitution, considering the socio-economic regional differences, the development of local networks of health services and universal access.
Social control; Municipal health councils; Participation; Users; Health policy
