Global competency and outcomes framework for the essential public health functions

Overview

Achieving and sustaining national progress towards universal health coverage, health security and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without a health workforce that can deliver the full range of both the essential health services and the essential public health functions, including national and international emergency preparedness and response.

Whether dealing with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for and preventing the next pandemic, or addressing diverse challenges such as climate change and natural and man-made disasters, the escalating burden of noncommunicable diseases and/or antimicrobial resistance, there are economic, health, ethical and moral imperatives to strengthen the public health workforce.

In May 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner organizations agreed on a roadmap for national workforce capacity to implement essential public health functions. This roadmap emphasizes three interconnected steps: identifying the services, programmes, policies and actions for essential public health functions tailored to the regional, national or subnational context; mapping and measuring the diversity of occupations involved in delivering these functions, along with projected needs; and developing the competencies and skills of the workforce.

This framework addresses the last of the three steps. It provides evidence-based guidance and an international reference set of competencies and educational outcomes, aligning education with employment and public health needs to build and maintain the workforce required to deliver the essential public health functions.

This document belongs to the National Workforce Capacity for Essential Public Health Functions Collection, which includes an operational handbook and guidance on functions, competency-based education and workforce enumeration.