Foundational Principles
Foundational principles underscore the content of this toolkit.
Building on the principles of primary health care, this toolkit provides the necessary tools to help strengthen Canada’s primary health care system through building stronger collaborations between primary care and public health sectors.
World Health Organization
The principles of primary health care support a critical approach to care and service delivery as articulated at the WHO conference at Alma Ata in September 1978. Available from: www.who.int/publications/almaata_declaration_en.pdf
Elements of a strong primary health care system
Principles of social justice and equity are foundational to any primary health care system. Elements of a strong primary health care system include:
- Access to health care,
- Community participation,
- Intersectoral collaboration,
- Emphasis on health promotion and prevention,
- Use of appropriate technology.
These principles highlighted throughout the toolkit, and with particular emphasis on the case examples.