The missing link – the role of primary care in global health

Article


Rao, M. and Pilot, Eva 2014. The missing link – the role of primary care in global health. Global Health Action. 7 (23693).
AuthorsRao, M. and Pilot, Eva
Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the role of primary care in the context of global health. Universal health coverage is a key priority for WHO and its member states, and provision of accessible and safe primary care is recognised as essential to meet this important international policy goal. Nevertheless, more than three decades after Alma Ata, the provision of primary health care remains inadequate, indicating that primary care has not received the priority it deserves, in many parts of the world. This is despite the proven health benefits that result from access to comprehensive primary health care. We highlight some examples of good practice and discuss the relevance of primary care in the context of health equity and cost-effectiveness. Challenges that influence the success of primary care include the availability of a qualified workforce, financing and system design and quality assurance and patient safety.

JournalGlobal Health Action
Journal citation7 (23693)
ISSN1654-9880
1654-9716
Year2014
PublisherCo-Action Publishing
Publisher's version
License
CC BY
Publisher's version
License
CC BY
Web address (URL)http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.23693
Publication dates
Print13 Feb 2014
Publication process dates
Deposited12 Mar 2015
Accepted20 Dec 2013
Copyright information© 2014 Mala Rao & Eva Pilot. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
Additional information

This paper is part of the Special Issue Facets of Global Health: Globalisation, Equity, Impact, and Action. More papers from this issue can be found at http://www.globalhealthaction.net.

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