Better primary care is associated with fewer years of potential life lost from suicide, with the best primary care oriented countries ranking better than the middle group which, in turn, ranked better than the countries with poor primary care orientation. For years of potential life lost due to all causes except suicide, or all causes except external causes of death (e.g., injuries), the poor primary care countries rank worst whereas the middle group do best, perhaps a result of their greater overall expenditures for conditions not as sensitive to primary care services only.

Source: OECD. OECD Health Data 1998. Paris: OECD Secretariat Health Policy Unit and Centre de Recherch, d'Etude et de Doucementation en Economie de la Santé, 1998.

Source: Starfield B. Primary Care: Balancing Health Needs, Services, and Technology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.