Progress in Primary Care—From Alma-Ata to Astana

Chockshi and Cohen reported on the advancement in primary care, from the Declaration of Alma-Ata at the 1978 International Conference on Primary Health Care to Astana, Kazakhstan. The declaration was aimed at protecting and promoting the health of all the people of the world. Much of the vision of the declaration remains to be realized, 40 years after its inception. Leaders have the opportunity to revitalize a commitment to primary care at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana, with an expected focus on universal health coverage and strengthening primary care in the US through investing in primary care infrastructure and evolving primary care around a renewed epertoire of relationships that promote health.