Las promotoras rurales de salud: una práctica social en extinción. Estudio de caso en el municipio de Andes, Antioquia, 1976-2015.

In 1956 the first health promotion agencies were founded in Colombia and were intended to enhance the health condition in the populations in the most alienated territories. The promoters, especially women, became leading actors in the rural community when their role transcended the public health endeavors. This study seeks to critically understand both the social and public-health roles of the health promoters in the town of Andes, Antioquia during 1976-2015. A study case was conducted using interviews and document reviews. Female promoters with a wide track record, public servants and community leaders took part in the study. The institutionalization of the promoters emerged as the main health alternative for the rural communities in our country. The transformations in the health system have brought about some pressure on this social practice, even though they still prevail. The promoters have had a role with an impact beyond the public-health care as they perform an important function in the construction of the social fabric and the management for a social cultural change in the Colombian rural life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]