Primary health care (PHC) is defined as essential health care based on practical,scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and techniques made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their  participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination(WHO,1978).PHC incorporates five principles: (a) equitable distribution;(b) appropriate techniques; (c) a focus on health promotion and disease prevention;(d)community participation; (e) a multisectoral approach.

初级卫生保健是在实用和科学的基础上，采取社会所接受的方式与技术，并通过社区中个人和家庭的参与，使之达到人人享有。在国家和社区发展的每个阶段，通过自主和自力更生的方式，并在国家和社区能负担得起的条件下维持其发展。PHC有五大原则：①平等分配；②运用合理技术；③目标集中于健康促进和预防疾病；④社区人员的参与；⑤多部门合作。