[Role of primary health care in health promotion]

HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION: In the mid '80s the World Health Organization initiated the "Health Promotion" program considered as an essential strategy in achieving the general objective "Health for all"--health promotion for the population. Promotional and preventive measures require support from the community, health politics and multisectoral approach. THE ROLE OF HEALTH SECTOR: Health sector has an essential role in health promotion and disease prevention. It requires reorientation of work, education and financing towards these levels of prevention. THE ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: Primary health care (PHC) is on essential part of health care and its main principles are equity, health promotion and disease prevention, community participation, appropriate health technology and multisectoral approach. Organizational and management key elements of PHC are strategic management, decentralization, coordination and development of strategic systems.