More Data, Better Health – Primary Health Care

Leia em português

This report presents the results of More Data Better Health (in the original portuguese, Mais Dados Mais Saúde), an innovative program in population health surveys, conducted by Vital Strategies and Umane, in technical partnership with the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) and with support from Instituto Devive and Resolve to Save Lives. 

The program starts from the premise that understanding the challenges faced in depth is the first step to creating stronger, more equitable and effective public policies for the entire Brazilian population. With the generation of more data, it is possible to support public administration in making decisions that collaborate so that better health reaches all people. After two editions of Covitel (2022 and 2023), a telephone survey focused on chronic noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors, the organizations identified the opportunity to expand their efforts in carrying out innovations in the field of population surveys on health to obtain data capable of assisting in guiding policies and actions to improve the Brazilian population’s quality of life. 

More Data Better Health focuses on innovating in two main points: (I) 100% online methodology for collecting interviews and (II) use of questionnaires focused on addressing the monitoring of emerging themes or expanding knowledge on topics on which we have insufficient information. In this scenario, Primary Health Care (Atenção Primária à Saúde or APS, in Portuguese) was chosen as the theme of the first module of More Data Better Health. 

With its essential role in Brazil’s health infrastructure, especially in the Unified Health System (SUS), PHC is often described as the gateway to the health system. Its quality and wide accessibility are fundamental requirements for the prevention of diseases and promotion of health for millions of Brazilians.