UNGA report launch summary

Takeaways

First, community engagement is an essential element of the decision-making process. To positively impact public health, decision-makers must integrate insights from the lived experiences of those directly affected. When making decisions related to health, decision-makers should seek out meaningful data and focus on community engagement. Integrating and reflecting on the insights of the lived experiences of individuals can lead to more dynamic policy actions and better population health overall. Engaging community members in decision-making process will lead to increased public trust in data, as well as increased public trust that decision-makers will prioritize health and well-being.

Second, there is a need to embrace a multiplicity of data, look at alternative sources of data, and ask different types of questions. Looking at a wide range of data sources can give us different insights into population health and potentially explain the presence of different health trends at different times. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we must be adaptable and open to learning new information in real time, which includes being receptive to different points of view.

Third, empathy is fundamental to improving population health at every level, from community members to heads of state. COVID-19 has demonstrated the need to infuse our work with empathy. We must embed empathy and compassion early on in education. There must also be a focus on bringing humanity into data, such that we always remember there is an individual or community behind each number.

Selected questions and answers

Question to Dr. Blessing Mberu: How do we go about elevating health equity as a national and global concern?

In order to elevate health equity as a concern, we must first recognize that the availability of data in lower-middle income countries is lacking. It is important to understand that we need evidence from these underserved communities in order to inform policy. This is the first step in addressing health equity. For example, in the Global South, there are many slum communities, and there is a lack of data collected on these marginalized communities. When these communities and their data are ignored, their situations are not highlighted, and their health needs cannot be met. Increasing data collection in these communities can lead to more informed policy and, potentially, an increase in health equity.

Question to Dr. Kyu Rhee: How do we build adaptability into policymaking models, processes for stakeholder engagement, etc. such that we allow for imperfect or evolving data and diverse contexts?

We have to first recognize that, even when data are not perfect, decisions need to be made. It is important to recognize this and teach policymakers how to adapt earlier and in real time to prevent potential crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we must be open to adapting and being agile as we learn more and new information. In order to build trust, we must also be inclusive of different points of view that come from different stakeholders. Policymakers should encourage horizontal relationships by including a wide range of stakeholders into the decision-making process rather than vertical relationships.

Question to Dr. Laura Magaña: What are the current missing gaps in education and what should be prioritized in the education of the next generation?

I believe we should begin educating about public health at an early age, rather than just introducing public health in higher education. As educators, we have an obligation to change the conversation to not just focus on healthcare but rather on the social determinants of health. It is also important to start education on public health in all professions so that, in the future, all individuals in all sectors will make decisions with health in mind.

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