Supported Self-Management as a Tool to Combat Chronic Conditions in Brazilian Primary Health Care Context

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global health problem and a threat to health and human development [1]. They are considered multifactorial conditions with coexistence of biological and sociocultural determinants, characterizing as a great challenge to the health system, especially to the primary health care [2]. It is present in poor and rich countries. In Brazil, the rise in the elderly population and in obesity and overweight rates, associated with other risk factors, has increased even more the morbimortality by NCD [3]. In this sense, it is observed that the global obesity epidemic, with a consequent increase in diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension prevalence, threatens the additional decreasing rates of NCDs in Brazil. And, this unfavorable trend of the main risk factors demonstrates the need for additional and timely health promotion and prevention actions [1].