As good primary health care is a foundation of good population health, my research is mostly focused on innovation, integration and evaluation of primary health care, for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, respiratory disease, diabetes, hyperension, depression and other long term conditions. When I was a medical student and junior doctor in 1980s South Africa, I was active in anti-apartheid student and health politics. This led me into occupational health and safety, consulting and doing epidemiological research for non-racial trade unions. With the demise of apartheid I realised that great health benefits could come from expansion and strengthening of public sector primary health care. So I switched to health services research.