2024-05-22-世界卫生组织-Defining_essential_public_health_functions_and_services_to_strengthen_national_workforce_capacity_60页_658kb

Analysis Summary: National Workforce Capacity for Essential Public Health Functions

Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs)

• Definition: A unified list of 12 high-level activities that are fundamental and interconnected, designed to prevent disease, promote and protect health, address broad determinants, and strengthen national workforce capacity.
• Importance: Recognized globally for improving universal health coverage, health security, and population well-being. Their strategic role was affirmed in numerous resolutions and WHO documents.
• Components:
  • Subfunctions: Detailed actions broken down from each EPHF, totaling over 30 subfunctions, highlighting interconnectedness.
  • Public Health Services: 20 essential services derived from EPHFs, covering preventive, promotive, and protective activities across sectors.
  • System Enablers: 12 key elements enabling integrated service delivery, such as governance, workforce, financing, and data systems.

Strategic Review of EPHFs

• Purpose: To assess and strengthen public health capacities and stewardship in a national context.
• Phases: Involves planning, data collection and analysis, formulating findings and actionable recommendations, and implementation to enhance EPHF delivery.
• Outcome: Supports informed decision-making, aligns with country priorities, and promotes a comprehensive public health approach.

Key Findings from Annex Surveys

• WHO Headquarters Survey: All 26 responding departments engaged in workforce strengthening activities related to at least one EPHF. Health services and emergency management were most covered, but enabling functions like research and financing were less addressed. Recommendations emphasize integrated, multisectoral workforce development.
• WHO Partners Survey: Responders reported activities across all EPHFs, with a focus on disease prevention and surveillance. Subnational involvement was high, and gaps exist in workforce capacities for enabling functions. Calls for better coordination and human resources planning.

Conclusion

The EPHFs provide a framework for strengthening public health through a skilled workforce, addressing complex challenges like pandemics and climate change. Countries should contextualize and apply these resources to develop capacities and achieve health equity.

Overall Implications

• EPHFs enable efficient resource use and resilient health systems.
• Improves workforce planning, competency-based education, and multisectoral collaboration.
• Essential for post-pandemic recovery and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.