From “hygienism” to health promotion: developments in vocal health

Abstract

This paper has the objective of discussing the use of the terms “vocal hygiene” and “vocal health” by considering that the option for this or that term implies changes in references and conceptions that determine different proposals for educational health actions, in special in Speech and Language Pathology. This study is based on social and historical aspects of “Hygienism” in Public/Collective Health and Health Education in Brazil. It seeks to understand the specificities and implications of praxis in Speech and Language Pathology. It offers reflection about the hygienist character of educational practices in health and shows that traditionally, the practices under the denominations “vocal hygiene” and sometimes, “vocal health” have been structured on hygienist fundamentals, that goes against the proposals of Health Promotion. This article contributes to think about health education in several health areas; indicates the need to redirect the Speech-Language-Pathology practices in Public Heath and to search for a terminology, in special in voice area, that demonstrates coherence with the development of educational processes based on the proposals of Health Promotion.