Public Health and Primary Health Care: Opportunities and Challenges.

Public health and primary health care are two vital components of the sustainability of healthcare systems. Although their collaboration is crucial, their integration remains a major challenge for many countries worldwide. Public health primarily aims to prevent diseases and injuries at the population level, while primary health care provides basic healthcare system services to individuals, with health promotion at the very core of both. Although it is difficult today to draw clear boundaries between public health and primary health care, as there is much overlap, there is an obvious gap between them. The path to successful collaboration between public health and primary health care requires an understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities, communication and coordination strategies, and the development of shared goals and values, and only through such successful collaboration is it possible to achieve their integration. By leveraging their respective strengths and working together, public health and primary health care can optimise resource utilisation, enhance health outcomes, and foster health equity, ultimately leading to universal health coverage, which is the first path to sustainability. One key connecting element between public health and primary health care is disease prevention, which can serve as their bridge. Through collaborative efforts, these fields can develop comprehensive strategies to address the social determinants of health, promote healthy behaviours, and ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare system services. By adopting an integrated approach, this collaborative effort can enhance health outcomes, mitigate disease burdens, and advances health equity for both the population and individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Javno zdravstvo i primarna zdravstvena zaštita dvije su ključne sastavnice održivosti zdravstvenih sustava. Iako je njihova suradnja ključna, njihova integracija i dalje je velik izazov za mnoge države diljem svijeta. Javno zdravstvo prvenstveno ima za cilj sprječavanje bolesti i ozljeda na razini stanovništva, dok primarna zdravstvena zaštita pruža osnovne usluge zdravstvenog sustava pojedincima, pri čemu oboje u svojoj samoj srži imaju promicanje zdravlja. Iako je danas teško povući jasnu granicu između javnog zdravstva i primarne zdravstvene zaštite jer se uveliko preklapaju, očit je jaz između njih. Put do uspješne suradnje između javnog zdravstva i primarne zdravstvene zaštite zahtijeva razumijevanje njihovih uloga i odgovornosti, komunikacijske i koordinacijske strategije te razvoj zajedničkih ciljeva i vrijednosti, a samo takvom uspješnom suradnjom moguće je ostvariti njihovu integraciju. Iskorištavanjem svojih snaga i zajedničkim radom, javno zdravstvo i primarna zdravstvena zaštita mogu postići najbolju iskoristivost dobara, poboljšati zdravstvene ishode te poticati zdravstvenu pravednost, što u konačnici dovodi do sveopće zdravstvene pokrivenosti koja je prvi korak na putu ka održivosti. Jedna od ključnih poveznica između javnog zdravstva i primarne zdravstvene zaštite jest sprječavanje bolesti, što može poslužiti kao njihov most. Kroz zajedničke napore, ova područja mogu razviti sveobuhvatne strategije za rješavanje društvenih odrednica zdravlja, promicanje zdravog ponašanja i osiguranje ravnopravnog pristupa visokovrsnim uslugama zdravstvenog sustava. Primjenom integriranog pristupa, ovaj zajednički napor može poboljšati zdravstvene ishode, ublažiti opterećenje bolestima te poboljšati zdravstvenu jednakost kako za stanovništvo tako i za pojedince. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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