[The decentralization and municipalization of health services in Säo Paulo, Brazil]

The health system in Brazil has undergone profound changes since the 1980s. In the state of São Paulo, the processes of decentralization to the municipio and regional levels, as well as integration of health services, began in 1983. This study describes the strategies adopted by the Ministry of Health of the state of São Paulo to implement these processes and create 65 regional health offices, and discusses the role of these offices in the new unified health system. It is concluded that decentralization has resulted in increased local government participation in financing the health system, that production of medical and community health services has grown, and that health indicators have improved.