The Alma-Ata (1978) and Ottawa (1986) conferences, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), are considered watershed moments in the primary health-care movement. Since 1978, governments, medical professionals, and other practitioners have been challenged to provide "Health for All." This simple slogan represents profound shifts in assumptions about health, illness, delivery modalities, and the relationships and status of patients and care providers. Succinctly, health care for all is considered possible only through a holistic view of health and a participatory, community-based orientation. Furthermore, poor health is considered to be the outcome of policies and practices that create unequal access to care and basic resources (Kickbusch 2003).