Benefits and challenges of consolidating public health functions into a National Public Health Institute

A policy analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID16763031
AuthorsCaroline R Carnevale (0000-0001-7345-5899, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1600 Clifton Road MS H21-7, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA, corresponding author), Mahlet A Woldetsadik (0000-0001-7780-2915, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1600 Clifton Road MS H21-7, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA), Arielle Shiver (0000-0002-9756-056X, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1600 Clifton Road MS H21-7, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA), Margaret Gutierrez (0000-0003-3050-7534, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1600 Clifton Road MS H21-7, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA), Chhorvann Chhea (0000-0001-6997-2535, Cambodia National Institute of Public Health , Lot #80, Samdach Penn Nouth Blvd. (St. 289), Phnom Penh 855, Cambodia), Elsie Ilori (0000-0002-1731-2604, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control), Ilesh Jani (0000-0002-6880-6655, Instituto Nacional de Saúde , Estrada Nacional N1, Bairro da Vila Parcela n3943, Marracuene, Mozambique), Jane MaCauley (0000-0002-3983-4569, National Public Health Institute of Liberia), Victor Mukonka (0000-0002-8766-6483, Zambia National Public Health Institute , Stand No. 1186 Corner Addis Ababa Drive and Chaholi Road, Lusaka, Zambia), Sabin Nsanzimana (0000-0002-5946-0015, Rwanda Biomedical Centre , KG 644 St., Kigali, Rwanda), Martha Ospina (Instituto Nacional de Salud), Martha Lucia Ospina (0000-0002-7484-9686, Instituo Nacional de Salud , Calle 26 #5120, Bogotá, Colómbia), Tajudeen Raji (0000-0001-9849-5088, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), Ellen A Spotts Whitney (0000-0002-0630-8773, International Association of National Public Health Institutes , 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA), Shelly Bratton (0000-0002-5689-8513, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1600 Clifton Road MS H21-7, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)
Year2023
Volume38
Issue3
Pages342-350
Publication date2023-03-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/czac102
PMID36610743
OpenAlexW4313706641
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited13

National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) around the world vary in composition. Consolidated organizational models can bring together critical functions such as disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, public health research, workforce development and laboratory diagnosis within a single focal point. This can lead to enhanced coordination and management of resources and enable more efficient and effective public health operations. We explored stakeholders’ perceptions about the benefits and challenges of consolidating public health functions in an NPHI in seven countries where the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has supported NPHI establishment and strengthening. From August 2019 through January 2020, we interviewed a total of 96 stakeholders, including NPHI staff (N = 43), non-NPHI government staff (N = 29) and non-governmental and international organization staff (N = 24) in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia. We conducted a policy analysis using Tea Collins’s health policy analysis framework to assess various possible options for coordinating public health functions and their likely effectiveness. The findings can be used by policymakers as they consider public health infrastructure. We found that consolidating functions in an NPHI, to the extent politically and organizationally feasible, promotes efficiency, flexibility and coordination, as well as supports data-driven health recommendations to government decision makers. Countries pursuing NPHI establishment can weigh the potential challenges and benefits of consolidating functions when determining which public health functions will comprise the NPHI, including clarity of role, access to resources, influence over decisions and political viability

Business · CLARITY · Economic growth · Economics · Government (linguistics) · Health promotion · International health · Political science · Preparedness · Public health · Public relations · Workforce · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine · Nursing · Public Administration · Public Health Policies and Education · Health Policy