Infinis – Instituto Futuro é Infância Saudável, the advocacy and philanthropy arm of the José Luiz Setúbal Foundation, has just announced the finalists of the 5th edition of the José Luiz Setúbal Communication Award. Held annually, the award aims to highlight the best work produced by communicators—both professionals and university students—on the topic of children’s and adolescents’ health.

“Defending the healthy development of children and adolescents is only possible when public debate is grounded in high-quality, accessible information, and the award is a way to encourage and recognise dedicated work and professionals who contribute to this,” says Márcia Kalvon, Executive Director of Infinis. “Communication is extremely strategic for social impact, both in engaging society around healthy habits and in influencing public policy decision-makers.”

Five finalists were selected in each award category, with four aimed at professional communicators and two at students. The winners will be announced on November 10, 2025.

See below the list of finalists in the different categories:

Professionals: Text category

Rare diseases: families speak out about failures in public policies – Deivid de Souza Santos, Metrópoles (DF)

    How TikTok fuels misogyny among Brazilian teenagers – Flávia Carolina dos Santos, Revista Azmina (PE)

    Snack foods, soda, diabetes and stroke: discover the new vocabulary of the Guarani-Kaiowá isolated by soy – Leandro Roberto Barbosa, Intercept Brasil (SP)

    The sick children of Brazilian agriculture – Sílvia Saraiva de Macedo Lisboa, Dialogue Earth (RS)

    Mercury contamination threatens Indigenous babies – Vanessa Monteiro da Silva, Projeto Colabora (PA)

    Professionals: Audio category

    Climate emergencies: how can we ensure the future of those who are the future? – Ana Paula Lima Santos, Rádio BandNews FM Salvador (BA)

      We need to talk about ‘Adolescence’ – Gustavo Simon, Folha de S. Paulo (SP)

      Little giants – Queila Ariadne, Jornal O Tempo (MG)

      Child and adolescent nightmare: Brazil has 26 births a day to girls aged 10 to 14 – Ruleandson do Carmo Cruz, Rádio UFMG Educativa (MG)

      Listen to children – Vitor Hugo Brandalise, Rádio Novelo (RJ)

      Professionals: Video category

      SP: children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment can continue studying during hospitalisation – Isabella Ladislau Placeres, Record (SP)

        National Newborn Screening Test Day – Larissa Ribeiro de Carvalho e Fonseca, TV Globo (MG)

        Children’s oral health – Lygia de Azevedo Freire, TV Verdes Mares (CE)

        Ten years since the Zika epidemic: how are the children born with microcephaly doing? – Marcus Vincax, TV Globo (RJ)

        COVID CHILDHOOD – Michelle Canes Ribeiro Carvalho, EBC – TV Brasil (DF)

        Professionals: Social media category

        Adriana Sousa Angeli Roza – Instituto Via Autismo (PA)

          Brenda Ali Gomes Leal dos Santos – Brazilian Psychiatric Association (RJ)

          João Victor Santana de Jesus – Lunetas Portal, Instituto Alana (BA)

          Leomara da Conceição Duarte – Samel Health Plans (AM)

          Rafaela Paiva Freitas Pinto – Desenpedi (SC)

          Students: Text category

          The hidden face of aggression as a form of “education” – Bruna Teixeira Rodrigues, Centro Universitário de Brasília (CEUB) (DF)

            Hyperstimulation and self-diagnoses: how screens affect the health of children and adolescents – Isabela Cortez Daudt, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) (RS)

            The space of imagination – Isabelle Rieger, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) (RS)

            A puzzle piece fighting to find its place – Monique Amboni, SATC (Sociedade de Assistência aos Trabalhadores do Carvão) (SC)

            HPV: vaccine should be administered in childhood and adolescence, experts explain – Natália Santos de Oliveira, Centro Universitário de Brasília (CEUB) (DF)

            Students: Audio category

            Too connected? – Clarissa Estefania dos Santos Lima, Centro Universitário IESB (DF)

              *In this year’s edition, the Students’ Audio category received a total of 5 entries, which meets the criteria for it to be valid for the Award. However, four of the works did not meet the eligibility criteria; therefore, the category already has a winner.

              Judges and popular vote

              The finalists will be evaluated by a panel of judges specialising in communication, social impact and child health, composed of: José Luiz Setúbal, President of FJLS; Márcia Kalvon, Executive Director of Infinis; Carolina Prestes Yirula, communicator at Infinis; Ana Luiza Navas, Director of Education at Instituto Pensi; Cris Guterres, columnist at UOL Universa; Andrea Wolffenbuttel, responsible for Observatório Entrevista at Observatório do Terceiro Setor; Daniel Nardin, founder and leader of Amazônia Vox; Eliane Almeida, activist in the Comunicadores pela Diversidade network; Elânia Francisca, psychologist and columnist at UOL Vivabem; Paulo Saldiva, Full Professor at the USP School of Medicine; Thales Araújo de Oliveira, paediatrician at Sabará Hospital Infantil; and Nath Braga, co-founder of Influência Negra.

              The total prize amount is R$ 97,200.00, to be distributed among first- and second-place winners in each of the six categories—professional work in text, audio, video and social media, and student work in text and audio.

              In addition to the cash prize, winners will receive a certificate and exclusive trophies. They will be announced on November 10, at a ceremony to be held at the Museum of the Portuguese Language, in São Paulo (SP).

              For the first time, the Award will include a popular vote stage. The public will be able to vote for one winner in the professional category and another in the student category. Popular voting will open in October 2025, on Infinis’ social media and websites.