The Programa Saúde na Escola (PSE) is a Brazilian intersectoral policy designed to strengthen collaboration between primary health care and education services in order to improve students’ health and address the social determinants of health. A systematic review was conducted to examine the potentialities and challenges of the PSE in promoting health within the school setting. Implementing a program that bridges primary health care and education presents inherent challenges. This review identified intersectoriality as a key strength, enabling integrated and comprehensive school health promotion. However, limited awareness among key stakeholders remains a significant barrier. Despite these challenges, the PSE shows strong potential as a strategic framework for aligning health and education initiatives to promote student well-being. Strengthening intersectoral collaboration and raising stakeholder awareness are critical to maximizing the program’s impact. Policy efforts should focus on institutionalizing the program, securing sustainable funding, and expanding its reach to ensure equitable implementation across diverse educational contexts. This systematic review highlights the PSE’s role in advancing school health promotion while emphasizing the need for further nationwide evaluative studies in Brazilian schools.
Figueiredo et al. (2026) studied this question.