Stronger Primary Health Care Can Boost Growth and Create Jobs across East Asia and Pacific

WASHINGTON, DC, January 21, 2026 - East Asia and Pacific (EAP) is at a crossroads, as a surge of chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) threatens to overwhelm health systems and stall income growth. A new World Bank report A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in EAP reveals that urgent reforms in primary health care (PHC) could help EAP meet this mounting challenge and secure a healthier, more prosperous future.

The economic case is compelling: estimates show that strong PHC delivers high returns, with every US$1 invested yielding up to US$16 in economic benefits through better health, productivity, and jobs.

"Strong primary health care systems do more than safeguard well-being. Healthier people learn more, work more productively, and save and invest more-benefits that help countries expand opportunity, build human capital, create jobs, and drive inclusive prosperity," said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Vice President for EAP at the World Bank. "EAP represents a significant contribution to the World Bank's goal to deliver quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Reforming primary health care to address the region's most pressing health challenges will be crucial to help reach that goal."

Over the past three decades, EAP countries have achieved remarkable health milestones: under-5 mortality rate plummeted from 57 deaths per 1,000 live births to 15, and life expectancy rose from 68 to 77 years. However, while people live longer, they spend nearly a decade in poor health. As populations age and cities grow, unhealthy lifestyles are fueling the rise of NCDs among adults in their most productive years, reducing productivity and raising health care costs.

Prevention is the first line of defense against NCDs. PHC services-such as screening, early detection and treatment-are vital for preventing and managing these illnesses and keeping people out of hospitals. Yet, in many EAP countries, health facilities are still largely geared towards treatment rather than prevention. Awareness of NCD risks remains low, and many people perceive PHC services as inadequate. As a result, households either forgo care at PHC facilities or go directly to hospitals-delaying timely access and contributing to underuse of preventive services.

"Improved primary health care is critical for sustained growth in East Asia and the Pacific," said Aaditya Mattoo, EAP Chief Economist at the World Bank. "By investing in prevention, embracing innovation, and strengthening community-level health services, EAP countries create new opportunities for economic progress and improve the quality of life across the region."

The report stresses that reforms must be tailored to each country's financial and technical capacity, as well as political context. It recommends four actions: First, equip PHC providers with the infrastructure, tools and skills to also address NCDs. Second, improve care quality by monitoring and rewarding providers for good results. Third, make PHC affordable- even free for people with low incomes. Finally, inform, nudge and incentivize people to adopt healthier lifestyles including by seeking preventive care.

Download the report

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