'Despite being a social issue, it was not one of the bets', assesses professor about SUS in the Enem 2026 essay

The theme of the essay for the National High School Exam (Enem) 2026 is “The valorization of the Unified Health System (SUS) as a universal right”.

Anglo Course Writing teacher Daniela Toffoli states that the topic was not among the courses' options.

"Same pattern as in other years in the sense that it is a topic that was not discussed by the media. Of course, the issue of health is always put on the agenda because it is a social issue, but it was not one of the issues that had been commented on", comments Daniela.

For Thiago Braga, author of Língua Portuguesa do Colégio and Sistema pH, there are two important points on this topic.

"The first is the expression 'valuation', which means that the SUS is not valued as it should be. The problematization is there. The student needs to realize that the topic suggests that our SUS does not receive the value it deserves. The other very important point is the expression 'as a right'. We have a series of duties, but we also have our rights. Many people in Brazilian society often disdain this universal access to health. This will be another point that is totally relevant to the discussion", explained Thiago.

Professor Daniela Toffoli adds that, this year, instead of a specific social minority section, Enem brought a "slightly broader" theme, but also social minorities, which are those needy people who depend on the SUS.

"The theme also had a different formulation. For three years in a row we had 'challenges for' or 'valuation' or 'for combat'. Last year it was 'perspectives' and this year there are no challenges, there is appreciation. So the path that the student will have to take is to think, well, if Enem is asking for the Unified Health System to be valued, it means that it is not being valued. If they want this to be considered as a universal right, it means that there are problems that result in part of the population not being able to access this system, this right as a universal right.' So this is the path the student will have to take", says Daniela Toffoli.

For Raphael Torres, Writing teacher at Colégio Andrews, the topic presents some challenges for those who do not know the Enem model very well.

"The main thing is the fact that there is no word that explicitly indicates a problem. Anyone who knows the Enem knows that the essay presents a problem topic or a problematizable topic. The absence of this word can cause some difficulty for those who do not know the structure of the test", says Torres.

He explains that this allows for different arguments. "The problematization needs to focus on the axis of appreciation. In the writing, the discussion should prevail about how this appreciation has not occurred. From this, the candidate must look for causes, effects and possible solutions and, as in every Enem topic, propose an intervention to address this lack of appreciation", says the professor.

"Furthermore, the most inattentive candidate may not understand that we are not talking about health as physical integrity, but about the Unified Health System. This is an important factor. He needs to realize that the issue is not about health, but about a system aimed at guaranteeing this health", comments Torres.

What to expect from the 1st day of Enem?

The first test of the edition is given this Sunday (8). In addition to the essay, candidates answer 45 language questions and another 45 humanities questions.

Next Sunday (15), it will be time for the mathematics and natural sciences test.

Enem is the main gateway to higher education, and allows candidates to apply for places at public and private universities across the country.

More than 5 million had their registrations confirmed for the edition, according to the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep), responsible for the exam.