Understanding the Governance of Public Health Competencies: A Deep Dive

by Jon Scaccia October 11, 2023

In an ever-evolving world, how we govern our public health competencies plays a crucial role in the efficiency and effectiveness of our health workforce. A recent rapid review delves deep into this subject, shedding light on the knowns and unknowns of Core Competencies in Public Health (CCPH) governance.

CCPH: A Global Overview

Drawing from abundant academic and grey literature, the review spotlights the efforts from high-income regions such as North America, Europe, and Australasia. Interestingly, while these regions have significantly contributed to the discourse, insights from low- to middle-income countries remain scanty. This discrepancy raises questions about the universality of practices and the adaptability of competencies across different socio-economic landscapes.

Key Findings: An Insight

Several standout points emerge from the review:

1. Consultations and Referrals: Many global actors, when creating new CCPH or revising existing ones, look to international sets as references, suggesting the universal appeal of some competencies.
2. Monitoring Gaps: An eye-opening revelation is the sparse monitoring of the impact and implementation of CCPH. With so much invested in crafting these competencies, the lack of rigorous checks seems a glaring oversight.
3. Resource Management: The study pointed out an absence of clarity regarding the financial and human resources that go into the development and revision of CCPH. While some funders are mentioned, the specifics of resources are often left in the shadows.

Implications for the Public Health Workforce

The findings underscore several implications:

• Collaboration is King: The collaborative nature of public health shines through in CCPH governance. Collaborative strategies such as the Delphi method can reinforce consensus-driven decision-making and transparency.
• Adapting to Change: Periodic revisions of CCPH are essential, ensuring they align with the changing global environment. Challenges such as climate change and antibiotic resistance underscore the dynamic nature of public health.
• Systems Thinking: There’s a strong case for integrating a systems thinking approach in public health governance. By viewing activities and actors as interconnected components, there’s an opportunity to uplift the overall performance of public health systems.

In conclusion, the review calls for an introspective look at how we approach CCPH governance. With health challenges continuously morphing, ensuring that our public health workforce is equipped with relevant, well-governed, and periodically reviewed competencies is paramount.

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