Revolutionizing the Public Health Workforce—A Policy Brief in Retrospect of the World Congress on Public Health Rome 2020

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically illustrates the consequences of inadequate prioritization of the Public Health Workforce (PHW). This Policy Brief introduces a Call for Action following the plenary session entitled “Revolutionising the Public Health Workforce (PHW) as Agents of Change” as part of the 2020 World Congress on Public Health. Policy Options and Recommendations: In order to revolutionize the PHW, five long-term key approaches are proposed: 1. Transforming public health competencies through transdisciplinary education and inter-professional training; 2. Revolutionizing educational systems by shifting the public health paradigm; 3. Linking public health education and work opportunities; 4. Overcoming the paradoxical shortage and overproduction of graduates and 5. Developing adaptable, multisectoral agents of change. Conclusion: Public health education of the future requires a paradigm shift towards a holistic understanding of public health, characterized by transdisciplinary education, inter-professional training and a closer integration of academia, health services, and communities.