Analyzing and Overcoming Access Barriers to Strengthen Primary Health Care

Abstract

This report presents the results of the collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization and its Member States to analyze barriers to access primary health care and to formulate policy options aimed at reducing and progressively eliminating these barriers. The first chapter presents a characterization of health systems in the Region of the Americas and challenges to universal access in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second chapter presents a methodological and analytical framework for studying access barriers and the delineation of policy options. Chapters 3 to 6 present case studies focused on the barriers faced by groups in situations of greater vulnerability in the context and trajectory of different health system reforms. By way of conclusion, general recommendations are presented to promote the still unfinished agenda toward universal access to health and universal health coverage.