The course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of primary health care (PHC). A number of principles are explored in detail including equity and access, community participation, comprehensive care, prevention and health promotion, continuity of care, coordination and integration of care. The implementation of these in the community are examined in a number of case studies and current issues and challenges are examined including the delivery of preventive care and early intervention, shifting care from hospital to community, integration between primary and secondary care , management of chronic disease in the community, community development and preventive health care in disadvantaged communities, new models of integrated primary health care.