[Re(thinking) nursing carative projects through the light of population health needs]

The concept of needs is central to the work of Nursing. The Basic Human Needs Theory, formulated by Wanda Horta, influenced several generations of Brazilian nurses and possibly still is the most widespread in education and nursing practice in Brazil. However, there are other conceptions of needs that can illuminate health work that is, in general, organized to meet health needs through standardized, vertical and prescriptive service offerings. Reframing health care, specially nursing carative projects, demands to adopt a concept of health and disease capable of linking individual and collective aspects.