Starting with a review of the literature and documents pertaining to health promotion in the developed countries, highlighting the Canadian output, the author reflects on the multiple meanings ascribed to the empowerment category/strategy. After a summary of the conceptual development of health promotion ideals, the paper analyzes the theoretical aspects of empowerment, suggesting its classification into two main approaches: psychological and community-based. The author contends that community empowerment helps define health promotion as a proposal aimed at transforming the status quo and the production of healthy subjects. The paper concludes by exploring the potential contributions of social/community empowerment to health education practices and reorganization of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS).201088-95