Cross posted from: EQUIDAD@listserv.paho.org
Toward international primary care reform
Barbara Starfield, University Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
*CMAJ • May 26, 2009; 180 (11). doi:10.1503/cmaj.090542.*
Available online at: http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/11/1091?etoc
“….Primary care reform is now a worldwide imperative. National health care systems with strong primary care infrastructures have healthier populations, fewer health-related disparities and lower overall costs for health care. 1<http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/11/1091?etoc#R1-3%23R1-3>In
the World Health Organization’s 2008 World Health Report, 2<http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/11/1091?etoc#R2-3%23R2-3>all countries were encouraged to orient their health care systems toward strengthened primary care. Such reforms are unlikely to improve overall population health, equalize distribution of health care resources or reduce costs unless they address both the systemic and clinical characteristics of primary care. 3<http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/11/1091?etoc#R3-3%23R3-3>…\.\.”
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Mrs. Ana Lucia Ruggiero (WDC)
mailto:ruglucia@paho.org