Global primary health care
Strengthening primary health care worldwide through research, partnerships, and capacity building
Half the world's population still lacks access to essential health services. The gap is widest in primary and community care – the foundation on which effective, equitable health systems are built.
Primary health care is widely recognised as the most inclusive and cost-effective route to universal health coverage. Through equitable partnerships across the globe, we work to generate evidence, build research capacity, and support countries in developing locally relevant, sustainable approaches to health and wellbeing – with primary care at the centre.
Our work
We use "primary health care" in the sense defined by the World Health Organization: not just clinical services delivered in general practice, but a whole-of-society approach to organising health systems around communities – encompassing prevention, public health, and intersectoral action. This broader framing shapes everything we do, from how we design research partnerships to the questions we choose to ask.
Our global health research and partnerships span four interconnected areas, drawing on expertise from across the department and our international networks.
Evidence generation and research
Building the evidence base for effective primary health care in different health systems and contexts – from pragmatic clinical trials and systematic reviews to implementation research.
Capacity building and training
Strengthening research skills and infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries through open-access training, global research networks, and institutional partnerships.
Health systems and policy
Working with governments and international organisations to evaluate policy interventions, inform health system design, and support the shift toward primary care-led models of care.
Digital health and data
Applying data science, AI, and digital tools to improve health care delivery and surveillance in resource-constrained settings.
Our centres and networks
Besrour Centre for Global Primary Care
Established through a generous gift from the Fondation Docteur Sadok Besrour, the centre focuses on improving access to high-quality, evidence-based primary care worldwide. It supports global research partnerships, training programmes, and policy engagement – including fellowships and scholarships for emerging health care leaders from low- and middle-income countries and an annual global forum.
The Global Health Network
The Global Health Network supports health research in settings where evidence is most needed. Its digital platform – spanning over 190 countries – connects research communities through knowledge hubs, open-access training, and shared tools and resources, enabling teams in low-resource settings to lead studies and compete internationally. The network operates through four regional coordination centres across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia.
Centre for Research Equity (CfRE)
Born from the community engagement work of the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC COVID-19 trials, CfRE works to ensure that health and care research reflects and benefits diverse populations. The centre builds partnerships with communities, faith-based organisations, and health care institutions to promote inclusive research practices and reduce health inequalities in the UK and internationally.
Work with us / get involved
Partnership and collaboration
We welcome partnerships with governments, international organisations, academic institutions, and NGOs working to strengthen primary health care.
Get in touch at globalhealth@phc.ox.ac.uk.
Study with us
Doctoral supervision, MSc programmes, and short courses in global health and primary care research.