Interface between health and environment in professional education in health

Objective: To understand the conception in the academic health area about the health and environment interface, and how this is expressed in the academic experience. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, conducted with 24 students in the area of health of a public institution of higher education. The data collected, during the period from August to September 2010, by means of semi-structured interviews, were analyzed according to the reference of content analysis. Results: Subjects related understanding that there was a strong interface between health and environment. They pointed out that the socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are more predisposed to the effects of environmental problems, which led to the occurrence of many diseases. Some subjects, however, had difficulty in expressing an idea about the theme. Conclusion: A thematic approach is necessary in the educational process of health professionals, aiming at the acquisition of social and environmental responsibility.