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models of care that are based on PHC, care that is centered on the needs of people, effective
financing, multisectoral collaboration and social participation.

“Without such resources, we can never respond to the diverse health needs of people and the
community. Without a comprehensive first level of care, and the participation of the community
in all aspects of its governance, we can never realize the promise of Primary Health Care. And
without a strong first level of care, we can never achieve Universal Health in the Americas,” said
PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne.

The goals that PAHO proposes countries commit themselves to achieving include:
• Reducing by at least 30% the barriers that hinder access to health by 2030.
• Allocate at least 30% of the entire public health budget to the first level of care by 2030.

Likewise, the Compact calls for the transformation of health systems towards equitable,
comprehensive and inclusive health care models based on primary care.

“The development of care models based on PHC, with intersectoral actions, and with the
necessary human, financial and technological resources, is fundamental to eliminate inequities
and achieve universal health in the Region,” said Dr. James Fitzgerald, Director of the Health

Systems and Services Department at PAHO.

Currently, it is estimated that 30% of the population of the Americas lacks access to the health
care they need. The barriers that prevent such access include financial, geographical,

institutional, social and cultural barriers, which constitute the main impediments to equity, health
and development in the 21st Century. On average, countries of the Region invest 4.2% of their
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in health, less than the 6% minimum recommended by the
WHO. Of that percentage, countries allocate an average of 26% of their health budgets to the

first level of care.

The new PHC 30-30-30 Compact for Universal Health is PAHO’s immediate response to the ten

recommendations of the Universal Health Commission in the 21st Century, and a call to its
Member States to accelerate the regional response to achieve health for all in line with the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Applying these recommendations “will catalyze the transformation we need to achieve Universal
Health by 2030,” said Dr. Etienne.
Links
Report of the High-level Commission “Universal Health in the XXI Century: 40 years of Alma-
Ata” visit: www.paho.org/WHD