The World Health Report 2003 Twenty-five years ago, the Declaration of Alma-Ata challenged the world to embrace the prin ciples of primary health care as the way to overcome gross health inequalities between and within countries. Health for all" became the slogan for a movement. It was not just an ideal but an organizing principle: everybody needs and is entitled to the highest possible standard of health. The principles defined at that time remain indispensable for a coherent vision of global health. Turning that vision into reality calls for clarity both on the possibilities and on the obstacles that have slowed and in some cases reversed progress towards meeting the health needs of all people. This entails working with countries-especially those most in need-not only to confront health crises, but to construct sustainable and equitable health systems I urge the global health community to set its sights on bold objectives. All countries of the world have pledged to reach the Millennium Development Goals set at the United Nations Summit in 2000. These include ambitious targets for nutrition, maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and access to essential medicines. With this support we have a real opportunity make progress that will mean longer, healthier lives for millions of peo ple, turn despair into realistic hope, and lay the foundations for improved health for genera- tions to come To reach our goals, increased resource commitments and intensified collaboration among partners will be required. The following report describes the challenges we face and points the way for a united response from WHO and the global health communit LEE Jong-wook October 20034 The World Health Report 2003 LEE Jong-wook Geneva October 2003 Twenty-five years ago, the Declaration of Alma-Ata challenged the world to embrace the prin￾ciples of primary health care as the way to overcome gross health inequalities between and within countries. “Health for all” became the slogan for a movement. It was not just an ideal but an organizing principle: everybody needs and is entitled to the highest possible standard of health. The principles defined at that time remain indispensable for a coherent vision of global health. Turning that vision into reality calls for clarity both on the possibilities and on the obstacles that have slowed and in some cases reversed progress towards meeting the health needs of all people. This entails working with countries – especially those most in need – not only to confront health crises, but to construct sustainable and equitable health systems. I urge the global health community to set its sights on bold objectives. All countries of the world have pledged to reach the Millennium Development Goals set at the United Nations Summit in 2000. These include ambitious targets for nutrition, maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and access to essential medicines. With this support we have a real opportunity now to make progress that will mean longer, healthier lives for millions of peo￾ple, turn despair into realistic hope, and lay the foundations for improved health for genera￾tions to come. To reach our goals, increased resource commitments and intensified collaboration among partners will be required. The following report describes the challenges we face and points the way for a united response from WHO and the global health community