[ROWING AGAINST THE CURRENT]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• The Lalonde Report identified lifestyle, genetics, and environment as key population health determinants, with health itself accounting for only 10% of health outcomes.
• Current healthcare systems often over-invest in medical interventions (hospitals, technology) rather than cost-effective, long-term salutogenic approaches.
• Primary Care (PC) is ideally positioned to address social determinants and influence lifestyles due to its person- and community-centered approach.

Approach:

• This review examines the socioeconomic and political factors contributing to the underinvestment in Primary Care (PC) globally.
• It contrasts the efficiency of salutogenic strategies, focusing on social determinants and environmental improvements, with traditional medical models.
• The analysis highlights the potential of PC to positively impact population health outcomes through community-focused care.

Key Points:

• Lifestyle, genetics, and environment are primary drivers of population health.
• Salutogenic approaches and public health policies are more efficient long-term than specialized medical care.
• Primary Care (PC) is underfunded despite its crucial role in influencing health behaviors and community well-being.

Conclusions:

• Significant socioeconomic and political barriers hinder the development and investment in Primary Care (PC).
• A shift towards prioritizing PC and addressing social determinants of health is essential for sustainable and equitable population health improvement.
• Increased investment in PC is critical to leverage its potential for influencing lifestyles and improving overall community health outcomes.