Promoting universal health through primary health care

ABSTRACT

Forty years ago, the Region of the Americas played a critical role in the development and negotiation of the Alma-Ata Declaration, which identified primary health care as a central strategy to the goal of health for all and a comprehensive approach to the organization of health systems. Since then, the values and principles of primary health care, which include the right to health, equity, solidarity, social justice and participation, and multisectoral action, among others, have formed the basis of many PAHO mandates and have guided health systems transformation in the Region. The positive impact of primary health care on the reduction of mortality, morbidity, and inequities in health is well known. What’s more, primary health care consumes less financial resources than curative approaches and promotes a chain of positive results from improved health to increased economic output, growth and productivity