01.12.2015
Primary health care and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Lancet "When supported by strong public health policies and with aligned efforts across social, economic, and political domains, primary health care has a central role in achievement of sustainable development. Although differences are inevitable between countries in the organisation of primary health care and the human resources available, many of the challenges outlined in SDG3—related to reproductive and child health, communicable diseases, chronic illnesses (including multimorbidity), addiction, and other mental health problems—can be addressed through a person-centred and population-based approach to primary health care. ( …)

Moreover, primary health care can contribute to the achievement of many of the 16 other SDGs; for example, its role in addressing the social determinants of health was underlined in the report Closing the Gap in a Generation." (Photo © flickr)