Global Implementation of Primary Health Care

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) is the key to “Health for All”, the paradigm shift in thinking about health as stated in the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion in 1986 advocated five key areas of public health actions: healthy public policies, supportive environments, personal skills, community action, as well as reorientation of healthcare services. In 2005, the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World was signed. It identified major challenges, actions, and commitments required for formulating policies to address the factors of health in a globalised world by approaching the empowered community. Social justice and equality in national and global development were advocated in universal health coverage. Thirty years later, PHC was regained the spotlight in the World Health Report 2008, including putting people at the centre of health, and responding better and faster to the changing world and growing community expectations. This chapter examines the movement of PHC in the last four decades with respect to health promotion and repeat calls to promoting PHC in making social and behavioural changes to improve population health in all countries and societies. PHC practices in the global and local perspectives are illustrated in the context of various models of implementation and their social impacts in the community.