Integrating health services: brief

Overview

The joint WHO-UNICEF vision for primary health care in the 21st century in support of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care on 25–26 October 2018 defines primary health care as a “whole-of-society approach” to maximize the level and distribution of health and well-being by acting simultaneously on three components: 1) primary care and essential public health functions as the core of integrated health services, 2) multisectoral policy and action, and 3) empowerment of people and communities. Primary health care has been shown to be the most equitable, effective, and cost-effective way to enhance the health of populations. To effectively implement the first component requires understanding how to effectively integrate health services. Integrated health services respond to the needs of individuals and populations and deliver comprehensive good-quality services throughout the life course through multidisciplinary teams who work together across settings and use evidence and feedback loops to continuously improve performance. Integrated health services, when based on strong primary care and essential public health functions, strengthen people-centred health systems and contribute to the best use of resources.