In this section you have the opportunity to reflect on the types of national, international and local agencies that influence health.
First, read Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the document below, Who promotes public health?, which is an extract from Chapter 4 of Theory and Research in Promoting Health (eds. Earle et al, 2007). It highlights some of the international, national. regional and local agencies involved in health.
View documentReflect and make notes on the different types of involvement in public health of the international, national, regional and local agencies featured in the document.
What do you think is the relative importance for public health of these various levels of agency?
Many agencies at all levels have a direct or indirect influence on public health. This may be because of their economic influence (eg. the IMF), their political clout (eg national governments) or their health expertise (eg. the WHO or the Public Health Observatories). Local agencies, such as local schools or the police service, may set policies and priorities that have a significant impact on public health. For example, a strong anti-bullying policy in a school or a systematic anti-drunkenness drive by the local police force can have a real impact on people?s health and wellebeing.
Relative importance is hard to gauge but we can see the rise and fall of influence. For example, the WHO has had an important role in global public health but is no longer the sole key player. Global economic institutions such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation are now more influential than WHO on the world policy stage.
Original Copyright © 2008 The Open University. Now made available within the Creative Commons framework under the CC Attribution – Non-commercial licence.
