Angela Leal

Biography and Expertise of Angela Leal

Angela Leal has built a distinguished career dedicated to enhancing Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), with a particular emphasis on primary healthcare and public policy. As a family nurse and public health expert, she brings a practical and strategic perspective to her current role as Director at the Ministry of Health. Her responsibilities include the national coordination of strategies for health promotion, surveillance, and the integral care of individuals with non-communicable chronic diseases.

Her work is directly aligned with the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” This connection is evident through her past involvement in technical groups focused on integrative and complementary health practices during her tenure at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat. Therefore, her experience in developing public health policies provides valuable insights into how TCIM can be systematically incorporated into primary care services to create more holistic and effective health systems.

Furthermore, the professional trajectory of Angela Leal reflects the congress motto pillar of “Well-being Societies.” She has consistently worked in urban areas marked by social inequalities, developing specific actions for populations in peripheral territories and favelas. Her focus on qualifying care, strengthening teamwork, and valuing popular knowledge in public health management demonstrates a commitment to health equity and community-centered well-being.

Professional Career of Angela Leal

The professional career of Angela Leal is marked by a consistent progression in public health leadership within Brazil’s public health system. Her experience combines hands-on clinical understanding as a family nurse with high-level strategic management, enabling her to effectively bridge the gap between policy formulation and practical implementation.

Her current position at the federal level builds upon a solid foundation of municipal public health management, where she was responsible for a wide range of critical initiatives. This trajectory highlights her capacity to manage complex health programs and foster intersectoral collaboration to address public health challenges comprehensively.

• Current Position: Director of the Department of Health Prevention and Promotion at the Secretariat of Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health (MS/SAPS/DEPPROS). In this role, she leads national strategies for health promotion and the integral care for chronic non-communicable diseases, focusing on intersectoral articulation.
• 2020–2025: Served at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat in several key roles. She began by coordinating the lines of care for chronic diseases in the Primary Care Superintendence.
• Subsequent Role in Rio de Janeiro: Assumed the position of Coordinator of Intersectoral Policies and Actions at the Health Promotion Superintendence, broadening her focus to include collaborative public health initiatives.
• Educational Roles: Acted as a preceptor and tutor in residency and specialization programs. She has experience guiding academic work and conducting both in-person and distance learning activities, contributing to the development of new public health professionals.

Academic Qualifications

Angela Leal‘s academic background provides a robust theoretical and analytical foundation for her work in public health. Her formal education combines clinical nursing with specialized knowledge in collective health, information systems, and family health, creating a multidisciplinary skill set essential for modern public health management.

This diverse training allows her to approach health challenges from multiple angles, integrating data analysis, community health principles, and clinical practice. Consequently, her academic qualifications are a cornerstone of her ability to develop and implement evidence-informed health policies.

• Master in Collective Health: Obtained from the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), this degree provided her with advanced knowledge in public health theory, epidemiology, and health policy and planning.
• Specialization in Information Systems, Monitoring, and Analysis of Public Health: Completed at the Instituto de Comunicação e Informação Científica e Tecnológica em Saúde (ICICT/Fiocruz), this specialization equipped her with skills in using data for territorial planning and health surveillance.
• Specialization in Family Health: Earned from the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), this qualification solidified her expertise in primary care and community-based health services, which is central to her professional practice.

Policy Development and Normative Contributions

While specific academic publications are not detailed, the professional contributions of Angela Leal include the significant development and revision of normative instruments for public health. This work is a critical form of applied research, translating evidence and best practices into actionable guidelines for health professionals and managers.

Her involvement in creating these documents demonstrates her capacity to systematize knowledge and establish standards for care within a large and complex public health system. These materials serve as foundational texts for local health management and clinical practice. Therefore, her work in this area has a direct and widespread impact on the quality of healthcare delivery.

Key contributions by Angela Leal include her role in the elaboration and revision of:

• The Municipal Health Plan 2022-2025: A strategic document outlining health priorities and actions for the city of Rio de Janeiro.
• Clinical Protocols: Guidelines that standardize evidence-based approaches to patient care for specific conditions.
• Technical Manuals and Quick Guides: Practical resources designed to support healthcare professionals in their daily activities.
• Instructional Materials and Support Documents: Tools created to aid local health management and program implementation.

Participation in Technical Committees and Workgroups

Throughout her career, Angela Leal has been an active participant in various technical commissions and working groups. This involvement demonstrates her commitment to collaborative problem-solving and her expertise across a wide range of public health domains. Her participation ensures that diverse perspectives and critical health issues are integrated into policy and planning.

By contributing to these specialized groups, she has helped shape strategies and policies on some of the most pressing health equity challenges. Consequently, this work is integral to her role as a leader in public health, reflecting a deep engagement with the multifaceted nature of health and well-being.

During her time at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat, Angela Leal was a member of technical groups focused on:

• Health of the Black Population
• Integrative and Complementary Health Practices
• Prolonged Care
• Health Surveillance
• Pharmaceutical Assistance
• Qualification of Nursing in Primary Care

Further Information

Angela Leal is a dedicated public servant focused on strengthening the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Her extensive experience in public health management, policy formulation, and primary care continues to inform her leadership at the national level within the Ministry of Health.

Her work emphasizes the importance of intersectoral policies and the integration of diverse health practices to promote well-being for all populations, particularly those in situations of vulnerability. Further details about her professional activities are managed through official channels of the Ministry of Health.