Global Public Health Association Policies Related to Women, Children and Youth
1
Women Children and Youth Working Group, Global Public Health Association Policies Related to Women, Children and Youth, Geneva, Switzerland
2
Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
3
School of Public Health, Boston University and Tufts University, Boston, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework recognises the essential role of gender equality and women's empowerment in enhancing women's lives, strengthening families and communities, and advancing overall social and economic development [1, 2]. Public health policy aims to prompt systematic change to improve the health of populations. Public Health Association (PHA) policy statements advocate for the health of their populations. This study mapped global PHA policies on women, children and youth health.
METHODS:
We identified PHAs, World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) members, and their websites. We noted if the PHA had a policy mechanism, a relevant workgroup, the number and type of relevant policies with year of publication, and policy topics.
RESULTS:
Of the 203 countries globally, 130 (64.0%) had a PHA. Of the 130 PHAs: 95 (73%) were members of the WFPHA; 83 (64%) had their own website; 31 (24%) had a policy mechanism, as evidenced by published policies on their websites. Globally, we found 60 policies that related to women, children and youth, including those from PHAs in eight countries and one RPHA. Of the eight PHAs with policies, six (75%) had policies for women, eight (100%) had policies for children and seven (87.5%) had youth-related policies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Few countries have developed public health policies that advocate for the health of women, children, and youth. PHAs worldwide should consider expanding their focus on women, children, and youth by developing policy statements advancing their health. Having a coordination group dedicated to advocating for women, children, and youth is not necessary; however, it could enable the development of policies. Advocacy by public health associations and professionals is necessary to improve the health of women, children, and young people and promote investments in a healthier, more productive, and resilient future.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework recognises the essential role of gender equality and women's empowerment in enhancing women's lives, strengthening families and communities, and advancing overall social and economic development [1, 2]. Public health policy aims to prompt systematic change to improve the health of populations. Public Health Association (PHA) policy statements advocate for the health of their populations. This study mapped global PHA policies on women, children and youth health.
METHODS:
We identified PHAs, World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) members, and their websites. We noted if the PHA had a policy mechanism, a relevant workgroup, the number and type of relevant policies with year of publication, and policy topics.
RESULTS:
Of the 203 countries globally, 130 (64.0%) had a PHA. Of the 130 PHAs: 95 (73%) were members of the WFPHA; 83 (64%) had their own website; 31 (24%) had a policy mechanism, as evidenced by published policies on their websites. Globally, we found 60 policies that related to women, children and youth, including those from PHAs in eight countries and one RPHA. Of the eight PHAs with policies, six (75%) had policies for women, eight (100%) had policies for children and seven (87.5%) had youth-related policies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Few countries have developed public health policies that advocate for the health of women, children, and youth. PHAs worldwide should consider expanding their focus on women, children, and youth by developing policy statements advancing their health. Having a coordination group dedicated to advocating for women, children, and youth is not necessary; however, it could enable the development of policies. Advocacy by public health associations and professionals is necessary to improve the health of women, children, and young people and promote investments in a healthier, more productive, and resilient future.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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