Popular Health Education and COVID-19: challenges from the perspective of protagonists in national collectives

The study analyzes, through the lens of Popular Health Education (PHE), the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the experiences of Brazilian PHE collectives. Four summary ideas were developed: the exacerbation of structural and social vulnerabilities due to the pandemic context; limitations in access to and proficiency with technology for communication among actors; limited intersectoral and intersubjective communication, resulting in weak coordination and partnerships; and the effects of the pandemic in worsening crises and contradictions within the reality of Primary Health Care. In light of the complexity and structural depth of the challenges discussed, a social response is made possible through dialogue, social control, and collective mobilization.