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New WHO Priorities in the European Region and Health Workforce Competencies: A Rapid Assessment of Capacities and Gaps in Public Health Competencies Frameworks

Author

Listed:
  • Ellen Kuhlmann
  • Katarzyna Czabanowska
  • Monica Georgina Brînzac
  • Emilia Aragón de León
  • Michelle Falkenbach
  • Marius‐Ionut Ungureanu
  • Matthias Wismar
  • Tomas Zapata
  • Tiago Correia

Abstract

The 74th WHO Europe Regional Committee introduced a set of health priorities comprising core areas of public health and expanded tasks to respond to multiple crises and emergent needs of populations and health systems. No systematic procedure of competencies development and routine review has been established to align changing health policy priorities and workforce. We argue for a transformative approach to competencies development from theoretical constructs to actionable pathways. A rapid qualitative assessment of three of the most relevant public health workforce competencies frameworks in the WHO European region was undertaken using selected priorities and the public health workforce as cases. The results highlight that existing competencies frameworks provide some helpful guidance, but gaps exist in specific and generic competencies and leadership. Further research and policy are needed, calling European and national policymakers to action to invest in public health competencies development to respond to evolving priorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen Kuhlmann & Katarzyna Czabanowska & Monica Georgina Brînzac & Emilia Aragón de León & Michelle Falkenbach & Marius‐Ionut Ungureanu & Matthias Wismar & Tomas Zapata & Tiago Correia, 2025. "New WHO Priorities in the European Region and Health Workforce Competencies: A Rapid Assessment of Capacities and Gaps in Public Health Competencies Frameworks," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(4), pages 802-809, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijhplm:v:40:y:2025:i:4:p:802-809
    DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellen Kuhlmann & Gabriela Lotta & Gilles Dussault & Michelle Falkenbach & Tiago Correia, 2024. "The workforce crisis in healthcare: Moving the debate to bridge evidence and policy," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 607-613, May.
    2. Tiago Correia & Walter Ricciardi & Martin McKee, 2024. "Preparing for the ‘next pandemic’: Why we need to escape from our silos," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(4), pages 973-979, July.
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    1. Paric, Martina & Rodriguez-Feria, Pablo & Calle, María del Carmen & Lagos, Gloria & Commers, Matt & Czabanowska, Katarzyna, 2026. "Cultural competence teaching in public health: a rapid review to support implementation," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    2. Kotherová, Zuzana & Dobiášová, Karolína & Těšinová, Jolana Kopsa & Tulupova, Elena, 2026. "Health and care workforce preparedness in response to the influx of Ukrainian refugees: a qualitative study from the Czech Republic," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    3. Löfflad-Bürkin, Barbara Maria & Matthiä, Anja & Krasna, Heather & Künzli, Nino & Bohlius, Julia & Czabanowska, Katarzyna, 2025. "A scoping review of transformational leadership development in health-related PhD programs," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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