The Center for Studies and Research in Collective Health (CEPESC) is a civil,
non-profit organization, created in May 9, 1986. It received the titles of Municipal
Public Utility (Act No. 2,730, dated December 24, 1998), and State Public Utility (Act
No. 3377, of April 4, 2000). It was created by a group of teachers, to be a supporting
structure for the implementation of projects for teachers and researchers of the
Institute of Social Medicine of State University of Rio de Janeiro (IMS-UERJ). Since
then, its purpose is to promote and disseminate the production of scientific knowledge
in the area of Collective Health, as well as encouraging and facilitating cooperation
among researchers from different institutions that make up the area.
The first agreements were initiated in 1987 with the Ford Foundation (USA),
the Centre Nationale de Recherches Sociales (CNRS, France), the National Institute of
Social Security (INAMPS, Brazil) and the State Secretariat of Health of Rio de Janeiro.
From that moment, there was a gradual growth of activities, both research and
supporting activities for implementation of the Brazilian National Health System (the
so-called SUS). The scope of activities expanded to the extent that the institution has
been consolidated and developed.
CEPESC has been an important partner for the strengthening of post-graduate
course at the Institute of Social Medicine, which has been awarded grade 6 by
the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Brazil).
Besides the modernization of facilities and equipment, this strengthening is due to
the production and dissemination of knowledge in science and technology, through
interchanges with national and international institutions.
According to CEPESC’s Statute, cooperation includes partnerships for training of
human resources at various levels – technical training; undergraduate, professional and
academic masters; doctorate studies; support to integration teaching and continuing
education projects in the health area; research in the field of collective health and
the like; production of software, books, and others, including lines of cooperation for
the development of public policies; organization of seminars and scientific events in
Collective Health.
This cooperation, especially in the last ten years, attests the growth and scope
of the topics covered. Moreover, one can see the constant renewal, with the entry
of new programs and continuation of successful partnerships. CEPESC stands out
nationally and internationally recognized for its expertise in project management in
the area of Collective Health.