Towards an international research agenda for public health advocacy

Practice, preparedness and knowledge gaps

Bibliographic Data

ID19591556
AuthorsKatherine Cullerton (0000-0001-9517-6380, The University of Queensland), Kelly D’cunha (0000-0003-3552-1714, The University of Queensland), Chloe C Astbury (0000-0003-2955-7833, York University, corresponding author), Daniel Hunt (0000-0003-0755-7015, The University of Queensland), Alexandra J Bhatti (Macquarie University), Alexandra Bhatti (0000-0002-1031-2206), Richmond Aryeetey (0000-0003-4667-592X, University of Ghana)
EditorsBaldeep Kaur Dhaliwal
Year2026
Volume6
Issue1
Pagese0005713
Publication date2026-01-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0005713
PMID41575929
OpenAlexW7125601060
LanguageEN
References cited24

Advocacy is a core function of public health practice and is essential for advancing population health, whether by promoting preventative measures or encouraging evidence-based policy reform. However, public health advocates, globally, face considerable barriers, including limited knowledge of effective strategies, resource constraints (such as time and funding), low prioritisation within organisations, and interference from powerful commercial industries seeking to impede policy change. To better support advocacy efforts, we sought to understand global advocacy practices, identify effective strategies, and determine where additional resources or evidence are most needed. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 156 self-identified public health advocates across 36 countries. Most respondents (80%) reported engaging in advocacy regularly, dedicating approximately half of their work time on related activities. Working in coalitions on policy issues was one of the most frequently used and effective strategies. While 61% of respondents felt well-equipped with advocacy knowledge, many reported gaps in other areas of preparedness, including insufficient funding, lack of time, limited access to networks, and gaps in advocacy skills, particularly regarding engaging with industry. Notably, respondents from middle-income countries reported higher self-assessed advocacy skills than those from low- or high-income countries. These findings highlight the need for tailored support and resources, particularly in relation to capacity building and evidence generation. In response, we propose a research agenda to address the most pressing issues facing public health advocates, globally

Policy advocacy · Population · Population health · Preparedness · Public health · Public policy · Resource (disambiguation) · Work (physics) · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Health Policy Implementation Science · Public Health Policies and Education · Health Policy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access