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# Primary Health Care - Whole-of-society approach that strengthens health systems and maximizes the level and distribution of health and wellbeing. - As in the Declarations of Alma-Ata and Astana, it shapes the whole health system by: - Putting primary care and the essential public health funct...

# Primary Health Care - Whole-of-society approach that strengthens health systems and maximizes the level and distribution of health and wellbeing. - As in the Declarations of Alma-Ata and Astana, it shapes the whole health system by: - Putting primary care and the essential public health functions together at the core of integrated health services - Leveraging multisectoral policy and action - Empowering people and communities as co-creators of their health # Primary Care - Is at the heart of the services component of PHC but does not have the same whole-of-society breadth. - **4 core characteristics:** 1. First contact access 2. Continuity 3. Comprehensiveness 4. Coordination # PHC in the Declaration of Alma-Ata (1978) - Provided the key normative principles for PHC: - Human rights - Social justice - Equity and solidarity - Evidence-informed, context-responsive and community-based care - Self-determination, participation and intersectoral action - **Operational definition:** It described primary care services as the central and main focus of health systems and first level of accessible, continuous and coordinated care for individuals, families and communities (WHO, 1978). Unfortunately, the principles of the PHC approach proposed in the Declaration were almost immediately abandoned and PHC was largely reduced to its **"primary care"** component as the first level of health care, and to a very narrow approach to service delivery.