National Policy on Body Practices and Physical Activity in the SUS: The Time is Now!

Abstract

This essay discusses the importance and necessity of implementing a National Policy on Physical Activity and Body Practices (PNPCAF) within Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), examining the historical background and the challenges associated with this agenda in the country. Although physical activity and body practices have been incorporated into various official documents issued by the Ministry of Health—such as the National Health Promotion Policy and the Strategic Action Plan for Addressing Noncommunicable Diseases—, the lack of a dedicated national policy has hindered the full development, sustainability, and consolidation of programs such as Academia da Saúde and the Federal Incentive for Physical Activity in SUS. Based on scientific evidence, international recommendations, and the accumulated experience of programs and initiatives in Brazil, this paper argues that the establishment of the PNPCAF could enhance equitable access to physical activity and body practices as a right, while also contributing to disease prevention and health promotion. In light of the current political landscape and the increase in public funding for the promotion of such practices within SUS, we conclude that there is a significant window of opportunity for the formulation and enactment of the PNPCAF, emphasizing the importance of social participation and intersectoral collaboration in this process.