Public health workforce; and human resources management.

Full Answer Section

within healthcare delivery systems where they address population-level health concerns.

Their roles are multifaceted and encompass a wide range of disciplines. This includes core public health professionals such as epidemiologists who investigate disease outbreaks, biostatisticians who analyze health data, environmental health specialists who address environmental hazards, public health nurses who work in community settings, and health educators who promote healthy behaviors. However, the public health workforce extends beyond these traditional roles to include allied health professionals like nutritionists and social workers who contribute to population health outcomes. Furthermore, program managers, policy analysts, communication specialists, and researchers who develop, implement, and evaluate public health interventions are integral members of this workforce.

Critically, the definition of a public health worker often extends to community health workers (CHWs) or community health volunteers (CHVs), who are often frontline workers embedded within communities. In contexts like Kenya, CHWs play a vital role in bridging the gap between formal health systems and communities, providing essential health education, basic care, and referrals. Recognizing this broad spectrum of roles, from highly specialized scientists to community-based volunteers, is crucial for understanding the scope and capacity of the public health workforce. Their collective efforts are directed towards disease prevention, health promotion, surveillance, policy development, and ensuring equitable access to health services for all populations.

b. What are some examples of the Competency sets required to develop and establish educational curricular for professionals? (400 words)

Developing effective educational curricula for public health professionals necessitates a clear understanding of the competencies they need to perform their roles effectively. These competency sets serve as the foundation for designing learning objectives, selecting appropriate content and teaching methodologies, and evaluating student performance. Several frameworks exist globally, providing comprehensive examples.

One prominent example is the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, developed by the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice

¹ in the United States. This framework outlines eight domains crucial for all public health professionals, regardless of their specific discipline:  

Sample Answer

The Public Health Workforce and Human Resources Management in Public Health

For graduate-level work, understanding the public health workforce and the principles of human resources management within this sector requires a nuanced and critical approach. It involves not just defining terms but also analyzing the complexities, challenges, and strategic considerations for building and sustaining an effective public health workforce, particularly within a context like Kenya.

a. Who are the Public Health Workers? (300 words)

Public health workers constitute a diverse group of professionals whose primary mission is to improve and protect the health and well-being of communities and populations, rather than focusing solely on individual patient care. They operate across various sectors, including governmental public health agencies at national, regional, and local levels, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), academic institutions, and even within healthcare delivery systems where they address population-level health concerns