Resumen

ARANGO PANESSO, Yolanda. Latin American social and historical references: contribution to the political fundamentals of health promotion. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.1. ISSN 0864-3466.

The present article underlined some contributions by the Latin American medical and social thinking that have been barely mentioned in the existing documents about health promotion. However, the theoretical and methodological contributions made by a number of social scientists from these countries have achieved significant advances in the fields of medical sociology, social epidemiology, group health, research-action, just to mention some areas of knowledge. Likewise, various sociopolitical events that took place in this continent since the 60`s have significantly influenced several statements based on the social nature of health, thus enriching the way of thinking and the way of acting - in the light of counter hegemonic political positions - for the defense of the public health seen as a fundamental human right

Palabras clave : Medical-social thinking; human right; Latin America; health promotion.