In the late 1970s, hopes were raised that “Health for All by the Year 2000” was attainable by addressing primary health care. This goal of human well-being seemed achievable and was concisely laid out in the Alma-Ata Declaration, a three-page document that reflected a spirit of social justice, equality and the importance of the role of the state. Most importantly, it recognized health as a human right.

Since that seminal document, the global health community has notably expanded the body of knowledge as well as its formal commitment to good population health. WHO has published documents with inspiring titles such as, Health for All in the 21st Century, Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health and Health in All Policies.