This study evaluated health education, and particularly popular health education, as a methodological approach used in the Brazilian basic healthcare network and in the Family Health Strategy, a family health program of the Brazilian government. The literature on health education, educational practices in healthcare services, and popular health education was reviewed. We found that educational practices in healthcare services follow traditional methods and do not prioritize the establishment of links between healthcare workers and the population. To be consolidated as an educational practice, popular health education should be incorporated into the routine of health-care services. For this purpose, the preparation of healthcare workers should focus on actions to promote collective health and critical reflections on healthcare teaching and learning by all the individuals involved in these processes.