Building on a proud history of innovation and progress, the new era of public health will need to embrace new ideas, new ways of working, new technologies and methodologies.
As we look ahead to the challenges of the future on our changing planet, we can see 6 major ways that public health will need to change.
1. From health hierarchies to healthy networks
A centralised, ‘command-and-control’ approach to public health will no longer be possible. Looser, more agile networks must take its place
2. From rapid response to ‘predict, prevent, prepare’
We need to become as adept at anticipating problems, and intervening early, as we are at responding to a crisis.
3. From separate specialisms to integrated expertise
We need to collaborate and communicate more effectively as public health leaders and scientists and tackle inter-related problems more holistically than ever before
4. From ‘winner takes all’ to co-benefits
Commercial, environmental, public health and social incentives can and must be aligned.
5. From top-down to frontline-first
Voices from low and middle income countries must have an equal hearing, because the data and the solutions will be found on the frontline of climate change
6. From straight lines to big leaps
We need to seize every opportunity to bypass historical phases of development and deliver radical innovation in public health.
