During Global Public Health Week earlier this month, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) took the reins of Croakey’s rotated account @WePublicHealth to help share the word from the many events and activities that took place around the globe.
According to the WFPHA, public health has been the “invisible guardian” of our health for decades and, although the COVID-19 pandemic has made the public health field more apparent and appreciated, it is critical not to lose this momentum.
“Making public health visible and understood is a key step for emergency preparedness,” said the WFPHA.
“Facilitating the sharing of knowledge, resources, and barriers faced by public health professionals globally is key to improving public health in all contexts.”
The Global Public Health Week theme was ‘Fostering Peace as a Prerequisite for Equitable Health’ – a topic that echoed discussions at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Naarm/Melbourne today.
Topics during the week included Rethinking Public Health Paradigms; Enhancing and Democratising Governance in Global Health; Putting Mental Wellbeing on the Health Agenda; Promoting a Sustainable Life for Thriving Communities; and Fostering the Development of the Right Competencies within Tomorrow’s Health Workforce.
Below are links to further reading and videos of some panel discussions. See the full list of events and also check #GPHW2024.
Recommended reading
Foreign Affairs and Health Governance: The Rise of Health Diplomacy
By Katherine Urbáez from the Health Diplomacy Alliance and Dr Ramón Anulfo López from the American Public Health Association.
“In the waggle dance of international relations, where power dynamics, geopolitical interests, and diplomatic finesse often take centre stage, there’s a growing recognition of the pivotal role played by health governance.
“This is not confined to public health but extends far beyond, permeating foreign policy, diplomacy, and global security.
“As the world grapples with an array of polycrises – including health and environmental challenges – from pandemics to antimicrobial resistance, climate change, conflicts, and humanitarian crises, the fusion of health and diplomacy has become increasingly imperative.”
Catch them on replay
Below are links to video recordings of just some of the webinar discussions.
How can the application of decolonization enable the rethinking of public health paradigms
Speech from Professor Michael Baker on allocating sustainable funding for resilient health systems
Overcoming Intellectual Property Barriers to Equitable Medicines Access for Pandemics
Future directions in oral health – global perspectives
Interview with Dr Paul Kavanagh on Tobacco Control Strategies and Vaping
Addressing malaria: present challenges and future strategies
Putting mental wellbeing on the health agenda
Protecting health workforce recommendations
Protecting health workforce recommendations to develop and implement vaccination
Health challenges in rural Angola: A closer look
Shaping the future of public health sustainable investments
Rethinking public health paradigms to foster peace and equity: Repensar los paradigmas de la salud pública para fomentar la paz y la equidad
Remettre la santé publique au cœur du débat sociétal
See other articles from guests at @WePublicHealth this year
