Implementing High-Quality Primary Care Through a Health Equity Lens

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Equity Studies
• Primary Care Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored significant health inequities, particularly affecting First Nations/Indigenous and racialized communities.
• Existing health systems have a history of mistreatment and exclusion, exacerbating disparities in access and outcomes.
• The pandemic amplified pre-existing inequities in healthcare access and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze health equity challenges and opportunities within primary care systems.
• To leverage the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) framework for high-quality primary care implementation.
• To inform actionable strategies for health system reform centered on equity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the NASEM framework for defining and implementing high-quality primary care.
• Examined health equity issues through case examples from primary care settings in the U.S. and Canada.
• Synthesized findings to identify actionable steps for improving primary care.

Main Results:

• Identified specific health equity challenges within current primary care models.
• Highlighted opportunities for improvement and innovation in primary care delivery.
• Demonstrated the applicability of the NASEM framework across different national contexts.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening primary care is crucial for addressing historical and pandemic-exacerbated health inequities.
• Renewed focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion provides a timely opportunity for primary care reform.
• Urgent action is needed to translate conversations into concrete improvements for patient and community health.