Maximizing the contribution of the public health workforce: the English experience
F Sim, K Lock, M McKee
Volume 85, Number 12, December 2007, 935-940
Table 1. Examples of the wider public health workforce
| Sector | Who | Contribution | What they are doing now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | National – finance ministerLocal government –e.g. mayor | Taxation; other regulationLocal regulation | TaxationSmoke-free public places in some countries |
| Retail industry | ManufacturerRetailer | Diversification to less unhealthy productsContent specification; pricing policy, product placement | Highly regulated retail sector – variable compliance (e.g. under-age shoppers)Variable compliance with voluntary agreements |
| Hospitality industry | HairdresserRestaurateur | Health promotion adviceNon-smoking environmentNon-smoking environmentHealthy food options | Basic hygiene practiceEnvironmental regulation complianceRelatively scarce involvement in health promotion beyond hygiene |
| Health care | Doctors, pharmacists, dentists and others | Opportunistic evidence-based health improvement advice in context of patient’s condition | Variable engagement with health improvement role |
| Child education | Care-givers, teachers, head teachers, governors in nurseries, schools | Use opportunities to influence behaviour – integrating health into teaching curriculum – e.g. sport, geography, history, economics | Occasional public health champions |
| Mass media | Journalist | Balanced, evidence-based programmes, articles | Variable degrees of responsible practice |
| Nongovernmental organizations | Community workers, working with minority communities, hard-to-reach groups | Health-oriented interventions – e.g. in language teaching and family welfare advice | Variable, dependant upon public health competence of workforce |