Primary Health Care Strategies

Study Notes

PHC became a core policy for WHO in 1978, focusing on comprehensive health services.
Rapid changes have occurred since then, addressing new health issues, socio-economic transformations, and evolving demographic trends.

Emergence of new health problems like HIV/AIDS, alongside an epidemic of non-communicable diseases.
Chronic conditions present significant challenges for health systems globally.

Globalization, industrialization, and urbanization affect population lifestyles, community dynamics, and health determinants.
Changes in demographic structures influence government and WHO priorities.

Cultural and Economic Context: PHC must reflect the economic conditions and cultural nuances of communities.
Health Problem Focus: Address key health challenges through promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.
Intersectoral Collaboration: Involves coordination across various sectors including agriculture, education, and public works for holistic health development.
Community Participation: Encourages self-reliance and active community involvement in health planning and control.
Referral Systems: Establishes an integrated referral system to improve overall healthcare access and quality.
Health Workforce: Utilizes trained professionals and traditional practitioners to meet community health needs.

Health Education: Informing communities about health problems and preventive measures.
Nutrition Promotion: Ensuring food supply and nutritional standards.
Water and Sanitation: Providing safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities.
Maternal and Child Health: Including family planning services for mothers and children.
Immunization: Protecting against major infectious diseases through vaccination campaigns.
Disease Prevention: Controlling locally endemic diseases effectively.
Treatment of Illness: Providing appropriate care for common diseases and injuries.
Essential Drugs: Ensuring access to necessary medications.

Mortality Reduction: Focus on decreasing excess mortality rates among marginalized populations.
Risk Factor Management: Addressing leading risk factors that compromise human health.
Sustainable Health Systems: Developing healthcare systems that can function effectively over the long term.
Policy Development: Creating enabling environments for effective health policy and institutional frameworks.

Communicable Diseases: Ongoing battles against diseases like TB and malaria remain critical, worsening due to factors like tobacco and alcohol use.
Non-Communicable Diseases: Increasing incidence attributed to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and substance abuse.
Chronic Health Issues: A major burden globally, affecting both physical and mental health.
Injury and Violence: Rising injuries and violence contribute significantly to global disease burden.

Significant declines in disease burdens are expected, including:
- A projected 46% reduction in diarrheal diseases.
- A projected 60% reduction in perinatal conditions over the next 20 years.