How to reach and engage vulnerable communities experiencing high levels of violence and social exclusion? Porto Alegre, Brazil developed and launched an information exchange through community radio. The radio program, “On the Radio Waves,” developed community radio programming to promote public education and awareness on priority health issues, such as mental health. Programming reached vulnerable communities affected by high levels of violence and social exclusion. Speakers had a dialogue with the radio audience on how to empower themselves to achieve a better quality of life and to learn about health promotion and disease prevention. Partners engaged in this effort included the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and the Conceição Hospital Group (GHC). Partners offered regular training programs to a wide range of stakeholders including practitioners, students, and other community members. The On the Radio Waves program also engaged different sectors including the Ministries of Health, Culture, and Education. To ensure success and sustainability of the program, the Ministries of Education and Health and the Municipal Health Secretariat included allocations for this program in their budgets. Sources: Pan American Health Organization. Health in All Policies: Summary of experiences from the Americas. The 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion; 2013 Jun 10-14; Helsinki (Finland).Washington, DC: PAHO; 2013 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Health in All Policies in the Americas: Health Promotion through Community Radio AMORB/FM [Internet]; 2016.
