How integrating public and primary health care has improved health for all in Slovenia

2 September 2019

People-centred, integrated primary health care has reduced health inequalities in Slovenia and improved the overall health of people. Its successful integration of public health services into primary health care is particularly impressive because few countries have managed to truly integrate such a variety of health promotion and diseases prevention services into primary health care to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases.

The success of this integration is partly due to well-developed plans and strategies, based on evidence, and regular checks of performance.

In Slovenia, a network of 65 community health centres provides comprehensive primary health care. Integration of public health and primary health care is a primary health care accelerator.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Community health centres provide 24/7 care through emergency departments and ambulance services. Slovenia’s investment in these centres has helped to make access to health more equitable across cities, towns and villages.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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For most people, these community health centres serve as the first point of contact with the health services delivery system.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Here, multidisciplinary teams provide services that include health education, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions, mental health, oral health, rehabilitation, and palliative and end-of-life care.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Health promotion units are co-located within the community health centres to promote healthy lifestyles and to enable patients to better manage their conditions.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Specially trained nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, kinesiologists and psychologists provide lifestyle counselling and training for health and well-being.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Health promotion activities for all ages are offered to improve physical, mental and social welfare.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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The health promotion units coordinate efforts to connect with more vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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This model has led to lower rates of hospitalizations for conditions like diabetes, blood pressure and asthma.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Screening for noncommunicable diseases is provided by family practice nurses, and participation is high in screening programmes for cancer detection.

Ministry of Health, Slovenia

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Slovenia has very low rates of infant and under-5 mortality and high vaccination rates for children. Life expectancy at birth in Slovenia now exceeds the European Union average.

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