On February 15, 2025, The Lancet published a commentary announcing the Lancet Commission on Transforming Primary Health Care in the Post-COVID-19 Era. This initiative brings together experts from across the globe to address challenges in primary health care (PHC) and develop practical recommendations for health system reforms.
Building on Established Health Priorities
Following the principles of the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration and the 2018 Astana Declaration, the commission aims to:
- Redesign PHC services: Focusing on community-based, person-centered care beyond traditional hospital settings
- Reduce health inequities: Examining how COVID-19 affected vulnerable populations and creating strategies to address these gaps
- Use digital tools effectively: Incorporating telehealth, remote monitoring, and data analytics to improve care delivery
The pandemic revealed existing weaknesses in PHC systems while speeding up the adoption of digital solutions—creating both challenges and opportunities for improvement.
A Global Team Approach
The commission includes researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from Africa, Asia–Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America, and South Asia. This diverse expertise helps ensure strategies work across different contexts. The team will analyze datasets, conduct reviews, and study specific country examples to build evidence-based recommendations.
Connecting Research to Real-World Practice
Dr. Hani Serag, MD, MPH, Director of the Division of Global Partnerships and Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities at UTMB’s School of Public and Population Health (SPPH), serves as one of the commissioners. His participation underscores UTMB’s commitment to global collaboration and evidence-informed policy solutions. Through this initiative, SPPH is actively contributing to practical strategies that will reshape primary health care systems worldwide.
The commission’s approach reflects SPPH’s broader research mission—bridging the gap between scientific evidence and policy implementation. For Dr. Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA, Associate Dean for Research at SPPH, this work exemplifies the critical role of public health research in shaping real-world health system improvements.
“The Lancet Commission exemplifies how research can inform meaningful health system reform,” said Dr. Mehta. “At UTMB's School of Public and Population Health, we're committed to developing evidence that doesn't just identify problems but shapes practical solutions. Having Dr. Serag serve as a commissioner in this important endeavor is a testament to our faculty's international leadership and expertise in global health systems.”
By integrating research, policy, and practice, this commission is laying the groundwork for stronger, more resilient PHC systems worldwide.
Upcoming Events
The commission will hold its first in-person meeting in Hong Kong on November 16–17, 2025. A mini-Summit on November 18 will allow commissioners to meet with local PHC stakeholders, share initial findings, and plan next steps.
Moving Forward Together
We encourage our academic community, policy partners, and public health colleagues to follow the commission's progress. Their work will provide insights that can shape policies and inspire new approaches in public health education, research, and practice.
For more information about the commission's goals and upcoming events, please see the Lancet commentary.
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