Brazil Begins Third National Health Survey Covering 140,000 Households

The Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) have launched the third edition of the National Health Survey (PNS), scheduled to collect data from July through November 2026. Approximately 140,000 households across all states will be visited, with individual interviews for residents aged 15 and older and measurements of blood pressure, weight and height.

For the first time, the survey will include biomarker collection – blood and urine samples – from a sub‑sample of 15,000‑20,000 participants aged 35 or more living in capitals and metropolitan areas. Samples will be analyzed by Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein under the Proadi‑SUS program. Regional rollout includes 5,850 households in 149 municipalities of Paraná, 4,716 households in 77 municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte, over 5,000 homes in Rio Grande do Sul, and 210 households in Presidente Prudente. The data will inform public‑health policies, chronic‑disease monitoring and the management of Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS).