Summary

This article presents the history and construction of the National Health Survey (PNS) 2019, a household survey conducted in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The objective was to provide the country with information on the determinants, conditions and health needs of the Brazilian population. The expected sample was 108,525 households, considering a non-response rate of 20%. The questionnaire had three parts: (i) regarding the household; (ii) to all residents of the household, focusing on the collection of socioeconomic and health information; and (iii) aimed at the selected resident (15 years or more) for whom lifestyles, chronic diseases, violence, among other topics were investigated, and anthropometric measures (sub-sample) were measured. The PNS information will serve as a basis for the (re)formulation of health policies, as well as support for existing actions and programs of the Unified Health System.