Why strengthening primary health care is essential to achieving universal health coverage

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 190; no. 15; pp. E463 - E466
• Main Authors: van Weel, Chris, MD PhD, Kidd, Michael R., AM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Joule Inc 16-04-2018; CMA Impact, Inc
• Subjects: Analysis; Community; Continuity of care; Expenditures; Health care access; Health care policy; Health care services accessibility; Health policy; Health promotion; Health services administration; Hospitals; Internal Medicine; Management; Methods; Patient admissions; Patient satisfaction; Primary care; Primary health care; Public health; Quality management; Quality of care; Reforms; Social aspects; Socioeconomic factors; Sustainable development; Canada; Netherlands; United Kingdom > UK; Europe
• ISSN: 0820-3946; 1488-2329
• DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.170784

Van Weel and Kidd cite that primary health care addresses the health needs of all patients at the community level, integrating care, prevention, promotion and education. Primary health care improves the performance of health systems by lowering overall health care expenditure while improving population health and access. The aims of primary health care overlap with those of universal health coverage, which aims to ensure access to essential health services and safe, effective and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all people. To achieve universal health coverage, reforms should focus on strengthening primary health care to ensure equity and cost containment. Health system reforms should be monitored with indicators that reflect the core characteristics of primary health care: continuity of care, person- and population-centeredness, coordination of care, prevention, health promotion and patient autonomy.