School of Public Health
Public Health Diplomacy Lab: Publications
Paper and Presentations
An Agenda for Public Health Diplomacy in an Age of Populism
Public health stands at a critical crossroads. In recent years, the global political landscape has been reshaped by the rise of populism, the spread of disinformation, and the weakening of multilateral institutions. These forces have eroded trust in science, undermined human rights, and disrupted international cooperation, core pillars upon which public health progress depends. We propose nine ways forward: create diplomacy labs for crisis simulation; empower non-state actors like cities and NGOs; strengthen ethical communication and listening; protect health workers; build alternative accountability systems; reframe health as a diplomatic priority; decentralise and diversify funding; develop a new diplomacy curriculum; reinvent and defend multilateralism.
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Health diplomacy training, pedagogical approaches, and skills assessment: a scoping review
Health diplomacy is gaining increasing importance as an approach in addressing domestic and global health challenges, yet educational programs that prepare future practitioners remain underdeveloped in addressing skills core to this domain of public health practice. Training in health diplomacy is critical for building interdisciplinary competencies needed to navigate increasingly complex negotiations, cross-cultural engagements, and policy influence. Competency based education in global health, widely accepted by the health professions education community, is a framework for training health professionals that focuses on observable, measurable skills and knowledge needed to meet specific health needs and improve global health outcomes. This study mapped the literature on health diplomacy education, examining curricula, training approaches, skill development, and evaluation practices, with a focus on their implications for public health diplomacy.
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Public Health Diplomacy: Summary of the Methods and Outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit
Public health diplomacy addresses global challenges impacting societies, economies, the environment, and health by integrating foreign policy and development. The University of Memphis School of Public Health hosted a multistakeholder summit to identify strategies and competencies essential for effective public health diplomacy. A 3-day summit included 29 participants from 15 countries, representing the WHO, the World Federation of United Nations, and seven regional public health associations. An iterative human-centered design (HCD) approach and concept mapping were employed to facilitate discussions and generate actionable recommendations. Developed a working definition of Public Health Diplomacy emphasizing cross-disciplinary collaborations, communication, negotiation, and consensus building. Produced a 9-point action plan to establish a global framework, launch capacity-building initiatives, and institutionalize public health diplomacy as a public health discipline.
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The Role of Health Diplomacy in Global Health Crises, conflicts and peace-making: A Scoping Review
Health diplomacy, the intersection of global health and international relations, plays a crucial role in addressing transnational health challenges. It facilitates cooperation among governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen health security, equity, and crisis response. In the face of growing global health crises, diplomatic efforts are essential for resource mobilization, policy coordination, and capacity building.
Health Diplomacy Advancing Public Private Partnerships in Health Equity: A Scoping Review
Health diplomacy is now an important part of global health governance because it helps countries work together, shapes health policies, and builds partnerships across borders. Health diplomacy through public-private partnerships (PPPs) has become more important as globalization continues to link public health challenges. PPPs are particularly effective in enhancing disaster preparation and promoting health equity. Despite its increasing significance, there is an absence of thorough scholarly research that integrates the essential attributes of health diplomacy and its multidimensional influence on health equity.
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