Analysis of the evolution of higher education courses in the health area in the metropolitan region of southwest Maranhao

This article aims to analyze the evolution of higher education courses in the health area, as a trigger of development in the Metropolitan Region of Southwest Maranhense. Higher education institutions play an important role in a country, region or city, related to economic, social, regional and urban development, not only to meet the need for entry into the labor market for graduated professionals, but also to meet certain needs of society. When dealing with these basic needs, the health area stands out, which needs human capital with high qualifications. The methodology applied was bibliographic and documental, using secondary data of public domain, with quantitative approach, the data were obtained through the e-MEC site of Institutions and Courses of Higher Education, official and unique database of information related to Higher Education Institutions - HEIs and undergraduate courses of the Federal Education System. The research found that of the eight cities belonging to the Metropolitan Region of Southwest Maranhense, only two cities have higher education courses in the area of health, Ribamar Fiquene and Imperatriz, is with 99% of the courses in the region, characterized as a central place.