dc.description.abstract |
The positive influence of a country’s primary
care system on the health of its people has been
repeatedly demonstrated (Starfield and Shi, 2002;
Macinko et al., 2003; Starfield et al., 2005; Beasley
et al., 2007), though mostly in industrialized coun-
tries. Since each country’s primary care needs vary
based on the country’s epidemiology, local research
must be done in order to design, implement, and
evaluate primary care in each country. Wealthier
countries have health care delivery systems
designed to address their epidemiological needs:
primarily non-communicable chronic diseases,
necessitating continuous coordinated outpatient
care. Developing countries likewise have health care
delivery systems to address their epidemiological
needs, which until recently have been primarily
acute infectious diseases, necessitating traditional
public health activities and acute treatment. Though
non-communicable diseases are increasing, acute
infectious diseases remain prominent. |
en_US |