The essential role of primary care professionals in achieving health for all

In October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Declaration of Astana1 to strengthen primary health care to attain universal access to health care and better health for all. In May 2019, the governments of the 196 countries represented in the WHO World Health Assembly, ratified the Astana declaration. Although a promising development, the Declaration of Astana falls short by failing to acknowledge the family medicine professionals who should carry out its implementation. This commentary explores the opportunities and challenges that Astana presents for primary care and family medicine clinicians, who need to combine care for the individual with engagement with policy makers and public health officials to help highlight the professional contribution of primary care in the broader context of primary health care to secure person-centered, population-oriented integrated care.