The changing lifestyle in big cities, new eating habits and lack of opportunities for recreation and sports in many cities in the interior have changed the figures of Brazilians from all regions, social classes and gender. In 2012, for the first time, overweight or obese people have become a majority of the population, reaching 51% of the population. The Health Gyms were created to facilitate the population's access to exercise and reduce the threat of diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases that can kill.

As a result of coordination between the federal government and Congress, the country’s smoke free legislation has become more stringent. Today, smoking is prohibited in any enclosed place, private or public. Between 2006 and 2012, the number of smokers in Brazil fell by 20% and reached its lowest level, because only 12% of Brazilians surveyed said they smoked. The data are from the Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Disease Surveillance Telephone Survey (Vigitel, 2012) conducted annually by the Ministry of Health.

• To learn more about the School Health Program (PSE), click here

Comprehensive health care of women has not been limited to pregnancy and maternity issues. Attention to heart, vascular disease and cancer — especially breast and cervical cancer — reduced female mortality between 2000 and 2010 by 12%.

In addition to providing one of the most effective drugs against breast cancer to SUS — Trastuzumab — and expanding radiotherapy services, the government has strengthened mammography services for early diagnosis of breast cancer, including mobile units that perform, on average, 4 million annual exams, especially in women 50-69 years old.

Protecting children’s’ health requires more than medical care. To strengthen the prevention of dozens of diseases that can be fatal, almost every year since 2003 new vaccines are incorporated by the SUS system into the official vaccination schedule.

• Ministry expands care to high-risk pregnancies

Investments in expansion and modernization of maternity and neonatal and pediatric ICUs are guaranteeing an increase in the most basic of rights for young Brazilians: to be born safely.

• Investments guarantee the expansion of the network

• Watch the documentary film, “One day in the life,” which shows the experiences of couples in the humanizing childbirth program

Throughout the Single Health System, it is the mother who must make decisions regarding childbirth. In the Lula and Dilma governments, funds are invested to ensure that women decide on such conditions in a climate of peace, free from pressure.