7.L. Round table: Population health management in PHC: a proactive approach to improve health and well-being

Population Health Management (PHM) can play a critical role in strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) by providing a data-driven, people-centred, and proactive approach to managing the health and well-being of a defined population. It entails data-driven assessment of the health status of a specific population followed by prediction of health outcomes and anticipating the resources needed to proactively address these. By identifying subgroups with similar characteristics and needs, PHM can enable PHC providers to move from a one-size-fits-all approach to targeted and tailored interventions that account for the needs of different groups. Moreover, by focusing on the social determinants of health and psychosocial needs, PHM can help PHC providers adopt a more holistic approach. PHM can provide a pragmatic framework to help PHC providers in operationalizing several essential public health functions, which are at the core of PHC. It can also help PHC deploy a proportionate universalism approach to address health inequalities at community level. By showcasing practical examples of how PHM is being used in PHC across Europe; discussing enabling factors for adopting a PHM approach; and presenting pragmatic policy recommendations; the workshop will inspire the public health community and help countries move towards the adoption of a PHM approach in PHC. The workshop will consist of an actively moderated panel discussion, short presentations by panelists and Q&A sessions. KEY MESSAGES: • Population health management rooted in PHC can help improve health outcomes for populations, reduce health inequalities, and strengthen health systems. • The relationship between PHM and PHC can be described as a virtuous circle; PHM helps make PHC more effective, and many elements of a strong PHC model are essential for effective PHM.