Brazil expands Bolsa Família health and food security protocol

The Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Food Insecurity Combat (MDS), launched the “Protocolo Brasil Sem Fome.” The protocol coordinates the Unified Health System (SUS), the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) and the National Food and Nutrition Security System (Sisan) to identify families at risk of food insecurity using the TRIA screening in primary health care. Data from the screening are recorded in e‑SUS and transferred to the CadÚnico database, enabling programs such as Bolsa Família and Acredita no Primeiro Passo to target beneficiaries more effectively.

A new interministerial ordinance (Portaria MDS/MS No 38, 27 May 2026) revises health conditionalities for Bolsa Família. It establishes monthly data sharing between SUS and MDS, streamlines the identification of pregnant beneficiaries for the Variable Gestational Benefit, integrates child vaccination and nutrition monitoring, and expands support to traditional populations such as Indigenous and quilombola communities. The measures also set out responsibilities for federal, state and municipal authorities and call for joint capacity‑building of health professionals.

Together, these initiatives aim to improve coordination between health and social assistance, enhance the targeting of cash‑transfer benefits, and strengthen food‑security and health outcomes for vulnerable Brazilian families.