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This article is an argumentative literature review that discusses the history of the intersections between health and education in Brazil, exploring its connections to segregation practices and, also, to movements towards democratic ideals. We focus on the importance of population participation for the reforms in the health sector, allowing for the construction of the Brazilian Public Health System and health practices that aim to not collude with inequalities. We argue that an ethical posture in public policy consistent with the one proposed by Paulo Freire has incentivized population participation in a way that strengthens the commitment to democracy in public policy. Such ethical posture 1) considers social determinants of the phenomena that happens to an individual, and 2) requires constant effort to not fall for the tempting silencing of one's existence and full citizenship. We comprehend Freire's ethical posture as one that can help build intersectoral actions on public service, facilitating social participation to inform public policy and help improve citizen's well-being. We propose that intersectoral participation spaces can be compelling devices to hear the population's input as an alternative to separating people's experiences in participation Councils of each public sector area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]