A Cross-Region Agenda for Public Health Diplomacy
1
School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
2
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Washington DC, United States
3
Department of Health Management, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
4
Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3263
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In an era of geopolitical instability and rapidly evolving health threats, Public Health Diplomacy (PHD) can be an essential mechanism for fostering coordination, collaboration, cooperation and communication to protect public health. Public health cannot remain at the margins; it must be present where decisions are negotiated so that evidence, fairness, and human rights shape outcomes. PHD strengthens trust, building relationships through inclusive politically astute communication, and cross-sector collaboration.
METHODS:
In 2025, two regional public health schools’ networks: Association of Schools of Public Health in European Region (ASPHER) and Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) collaboratively led two high-level, cross-generational dialogues on PHD at European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) with a 90-minute EHFG Session,1 and Young Forum Gastein (YFG) Workshop. Discussions explored questions on the role of PHD in addressing glocal (local and global) health challenges, key actors and sectors, essential diplomatic skills, youth engagement and organization around key strategic principles and directions.
RESULTS:
Results highlight four overarching themes: (1) strengthening trust via communication, and community empowerment; (2) elevating multisectoral cooperation across government, civil society, and private stakeholders; (3) expanding diplomacy-related competencies such as negotiation, systems thinking, and conflict resolution; (4) positioning youth as contributors to inclusive, equitable PHD processes.2 As a direct outcome, ASPPH, ASPHER, and EHFG committed to prioritise a practical PHD action agenda.3 The session will present the EHFG Outcome Statement and engage the audience in an interactive debate.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings provide actionable ways forward for strengthening PHD, identifying and building the essential skills to advance the field. The session will consider how to engage ministries, parliaments, cities and regions, civil society, and knowledge networks in an urgent call to prioritize health in diplomacy. Alignment of training, evidence, and financing can build capacity in PHD, ensuring health is at the centre of decision-making.
In an era of geopolitical instability and rapidly evolving health threats, Public Health Diplomacy (PHD) can be an essential mechanism for fostering coordination, collaboration, cooperation and communication to protect public health. Public health cannot remain at the margins; it must be present where decisions are negotiated so that evidence, fairness, and human rights shape outcomes. PHD strengthens trust, building relationships through inclusive politically astute communication, and cross-sector collaboration.
METHODS:
In 2025, two regional public health schools’ networks: Association of Schools of Public Health in European Region (ASPHER) and Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) collaboratively led two high-level, cross-generational dialogues on PHD at European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) with a 90-minute EHFG Session,1 and Young Forum Gastein (YFG) Workshop. Discussions explored questions on the role of PHD in addressing glocal (local and global) health challenges, key actors and sectors, essential diplomatic skills, youth engagement and organization around key strategic principles and directions.
RESULTS:
Results highlight four overarching themes: (1) strengthening trust via communication, and community empowerment; (2) elevating multisectoral cooperation across government, civil society, and private stakeholders; (3) expanding diplomacy-related competencies such as negotiation, systems thinking, and conflict resolution; (4) positioning youth as contributors to inclusive, equitable PHD processes.2 As a direct outcome, ASPPH, ASPHER, and EHFG committed to prioritise a practical PHD action agenda.3 The session will present the EHFG Outcome Statement and engage the audience in an interactive debate.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings provide actionable ways forward for strengthening PHD, identifying and building the essential skills to advance the field. The session will consider how to engage ministries, parliaments, cities and regions, civil society, and knowledge networks in an urgent call to prioritize health in diplomacy. Alignment of training, evidence, and financing can build capacity in PHD, ensuring health is at the centre of decision-making.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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