40 years ago delegates at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care adopted the declaration of Alma Ata - putting primary care at the centre of the world's attempts to improve the health of all. Amanda Howe, professor of primary care and president of the World Organization of Family Doctors, joins us to describe what brought about the declaration of Alma Ata, and why in 2018, it's important to re-establish the declaration's principles. | BMJ