national public health institutes core attributes

Peter B. Bloland, DVM, MPVMDirector

Division of Public Health Systems and Workforce Development

Global Health Leadership ForumNovember 10, 2011

National Public Health Institutes

Core Attributes

Center for Global Health

Division of Public Health Systems and Workforce Development

NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

Defining

National Public Health Institutes

Definition:

“Science-based organization or network of organizations that provides national leadership and expertise to efforts to achieve substantive, long-term improvements in the public’s health”

From: IANPHI Europe (2011) National Public Health Institutes – European Perspective, Report 40/2011, Helsinki


(IANPHI 2007)

Core Attributes of

Core Attributes of NPHIs

• National Scope of Influence• National vision, national visibility

• Operational relationships at sub-national levels

• Ability to implement critical public health programs throughout country

National Impact

From: IANPHI (2007) Framework for the creation and development of National Public Health Institutes, Series of Technical and Policy Briefs, Number 1. www.ianphi.org


• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition

• Public institution with explicit mandate & authorities from government

• Support of government for operations, including emergency powers, as needed

• Supports government as resource for data & evidence for policy development



• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence

• Prioritizes evidence-based decision making, as free from political influence as possible

• Maintains public trust as unbiased source of health information and advice



• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies

• Uses best available scientific data upon which to base guidelines, recommendations, policies, programs

• Recognized, respected, & primary source of public health information



• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies• Focus on the Major Public Health Problems

• Increasingly able to address all major public health challenges affecting nation’s public:

• Infectious diseases• Non-communicable diseases• Injuries• Environmental health• Occupational health



• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies• Focus on the Major Public Health Problems • Adequate Human and Financial Resources

• Dedicated budget

• Predictable funding base commensurate with responsibilities

• Adequately sized and appropriately skilled workforce, including managerial, scientific, technical



• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies• Focus on the Major Public Health Problems • Adequate Human and Financial Resources• Adequate Infrastructural Support

• Reliable power, water

• Access to scientific literature

• Reliable communications, including internet, phone

• Laboratories capable of meeting international GLP and QA standards



• Functional relationships & partnerships within government and with non- governmental organizations, private sector

• International, national, sub- national, community levels


• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies• Focus on the Major Public Health Problems • Adequate Human and Financial Resources• Adequate Infrastructural Support• Linkages & Networks


• National Scope of Influence• National Recognition• Limitations on Political Influence• Scientific Basis for Programs and Policies• Focus on the Major Public Health Problems • Adequate Human and Financial Resources• Adequate Infrastructural Support• Linkages & Networks• Accountability

• In accordance with building and maintaining public trust, is accountable to public:

• Transparent operations• Strategic plan• Expenditures• Impact



Core Functions of

Core Functions• Evaluation and analysis of health status

• Public health surveillance, problem evaluation, control of risks and threats

• Prevention programs & health promotion

• Social participation in health

• Planning and management

• Regulation & enforcement*

• Evaluation and promotion of coverage & access to health services

• Human resource development & training

• Quality assurance n personal and population health services

• Public health research

• Reduction of impact of emergencies and disasters


Why NPHIs? Why Now?• Especially in times of economic challenges:

– Need for greater accountability, stewardship of public/ donor funds

– Need for greater coordination between programs

– Need for greater impact, proof of return on investment

– Need for better leadership

• From CDC perspective, NPHIs offer:

– logical institutional home and “center of gravity” for many of the various public health programs for which CDC provides technical assistance

– logical partner in government-to-government relationship

– most sustainable model for strengthening public health systems and achieving lasting positive impact on public’s health

national public health institutes core attributes

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