Primary care as a transformative force for equity: lessons from Brazil

Primary care is the foundation of equitable health systems. It not only serves as the entry point to care but also ensures continuity of care over time and embraces a model of patient-centredness, delivering services that respond to individual needs and social realities. By doing so, primary care builds trust, removes barriers to access, and becomes a distinctive field of medicine uniquely equipped to mitigate vulnerabilities and advance health equity. When adequately implemented, primary care transforms health systems by strengthening the connection between communities and care, and by addressing both biomedical needs and the social determinants of health.