Hanu Vuori (1984, "Primary Health Care in Europe - Problems and Solutions" Community Medicine Vol 6, pp221-231) has an approach to defining that we have used extensively in training and planning. He defines four different aspects of PHC: a philosophy, a set of strategies, a level of care and a set of activities: * A level of care: PHC is the part of the care system people contact first when they have problems * A strategy: health care services are organized to be : accessible; relevant to the needs of the population; functionally integrated; based on community participation; cost effective and involves collaboration across sectors. * A set of activities: health education; adequate food supply and proper nutrition; safe water and basic sanitation; maternal and child care and family planning; prevention and control of endemic diseases; immunization; basic treatment of health problems, and provision of essential drugs * A philosophy: PHC exists in the best way if the health care system is characterized by: social justice and equality; self-responsibility; international solidarity; acceptance of a broad concept of health. This approach extends the Alma Ata and WHO definitions and more clearly identifies the differing elements of its thinking. One other element I have seen added by the former Australian Community Health Association was identifying who is involved in primary health care: public sector health workforce, for profit health sector, not for profits community sector, and the last "carers" (ie family members and relatives who do the "informal caring"). This approach helped to emphasise the broader often overlooked relationships between these groups and give status to family and personal caring done by non-professionals. It is interesting that the WHO 2000 report re-emphasises this last point in health planning. regards Regards Alan Alan Sutherland Health Promotion Policy Officer Strategic Analysis and Research Strategic and Corporate Support Division Department of Health and Human Services PO Box 125B, Hobart TASMANIA AUSTRALIA 7000 Phone: (03) 6233 3147 FAX: (03) 6233 2899 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Australian International: 011 + 61 + 3 + (eight digit call number) > -----Original Message----- > From: Alana LaPerle [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Friday, 23 June 2000 8:11 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Definition - primary health care > > Does anyone know of a good published definition of Primary Health Care > other than that from Alma Ata (WHO, 1978)? > > Thanks for any help you can give. > > Alana > Alana LaPerle Consulting > [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > Ph: 780.435.9908 > Fx: 780.438.6837