Being global in public health practice and research: complementary competencies are needed

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Public Health Education
• Health Equity Research

Background:

• Existing public health competency frameworks, such as the Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada (CCPHC), do not fully address the unique demands of global health.
• There is a growing need to define specialized competencies for global health practitioners, educators, and researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To articulate additional competencies required for effective global health practice, education, and research.
• To advocate for the integration of these specialized competencies into training and practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature and practice needs in global health.
• Identification of key knowledge, skills, and attitudes crucial for global health work.

Main Results:

• Essential global health competencies include understanding north-south power dynamics, local-global health linkages, and the role of international organizations.
• Skills in responsible practice in low-resource settings, fostering self-determination, global stakeholder engagement, cross-cultural communication, and critical self-reflection are vital.
• A commitment to health equity through global systems change and a willingness for cross-border mentorship are core requirements.

Conclusions:

• Specialized competencies are necessary to complement existing public health frameworks for effective global health engagement.
• Further dialogue and development of assessment methods are needed to evaluate these competencies in academic and practice settings.
• These competencies are crucial for advancing global health equity and fostering responsible international collaboration.