Other factors, such as ageing of the population and concern for those with chronic and terminal illnesses, place growing demands on health and social services. In the ensuing years ICN and NNAs have been instrumental in lobbying for inclusion of PHC principles and programmes in health provider education, in service planning and delivery, and in research and evaluation. Many NNAs are promoting initiatives to incorporate PHC into nursing practice and policy. Nurses are the principal group of health personnel providing primary health care at all levels and maintaining links between individuals, families, communities and the rest of the health care system. Working with other members of the health care team and other sectors or on their own, nurses explore new and better ways of keeping well, or improving health and preventing disease and disability.
Nurses improve equity and access to health care and add quality to the outcome of care.
The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 120 national nurses' associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.