Primary health care in Brazil: Assessment and recommendations

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) in Brazil has a well-organised approach, the result of sustained commitment to providing high-quality PHC for the entire population. Brazil has introduced a comprehensive package of policies designed to modernise and strengthen PHC. However, a number of key challenges remain, including the increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, large disparities across regions in the supply and quality of PHC, and a low and unequal use of digital technologies. This chapter assesses Brazil’s PHC system. It considers four topics in detail: screening and prevention for major chronic non-communicable diseases, enhancing the quality of PHC provision, tackling workforce shortages and promoting the digital transformation of PHC in Brazil. It provides a set of recommendations on improving PHC in the country.