PRESENTATIONThis is the last issue of 2011, when we celebrate the 35 years of existence (and resistance) of the journal ‘Saúde em Debate’. We are happy to know how important this journal is to the community of collective health, and also because we could consolidate a high quality publication that respects the demanded standards for periodicals, without losing focus on the critical analysis that characterizes us.
The 14th National Conference of Health (14ª Conferência Nacional de Saúde - CNS) brought to life political debates and the need to update the critical thinking in the health field. Thus, once again, it is possible to observe the importance of a journal that enables the discussion of public health policies.
On the other hand, since the political debate is fast and requires issues and ideas that are fast as well, it cannot depend on periodicity (a characteristic of the journals); so, the Brazilian Center for Health Studies (CEBES) has improved its Internet page, which has been daily updated, thus becoming an important tool for the political process of the Sanitary Reform.
To celebrate the 35 years of the journal, we decided to select four cover illustrations that were remarkable for the first years of the publication. In each issue, one of these illustrations stands out. This issue has an illustration by the great and longing Glauco, who was brutally murdered along with his son. Issue number 9, which had this illustration on the cover, is especially dear to all of those who fight for the Sanitary Reform, since the document A Questão Democrática na Área da Saúde was published in this issue. With this document, CEBES showed the proposal and the principles of the Unified Health System (SUS) to the society. For the first time, SUS was acknowledged in Brazil.
After 33 years, the democratic issue remains as a core problem for the National Health Policy, in which is included the incorporation of SUS to the Constitution of 1988 and its recent - but late - regulation. We hope the memory is sufficient to bring the debate to life.
Enjoy your reading!
Paulo Amarante
Scientific Editor
