Public Health Diplomacy: An Emerging Discipline

Absolutely, the evolving intersection among public health and international relations requires the current workforce and professionals to not only be equipped with technical knowledge but also be updated with the knowledge of diplomacy, negotiations, and policy skills. The recent 9-point action plan summit by the University of Memphis is a perfect example of this, providing a framework for building institutional capacity and further promoting inclusive and multisectoral engagement. If the current public health education is equipped with such training, it will serve as a crucial catalyst for advancing health equity in this interconnected world.

Reference:

Kickbusch, I., & Liu, A. (2022). Global health diplomacy—reconstructing power and governance. The Lancet, 399(10341), 2156–2166. //doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(22)00583-9

Joshi, A., Magana, L., Tsai, K.-H., Maddah, D., Mitchell, K., Ruggiero, D., Hawkins, W. B., Dharamsi, S., Makhoul, J., Reis, R., Kim, S. Y., Low, W. Y., Amde, W., Nja, G., Jeu, M., Kelly, B., Saliba, B., Jha, N., Kalediene, R., & Scarpetti, G. (2025). Public health diplomacy: summary of the methods and outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. //doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1564709

Public health diplomacy is rapidly emerging as a vital interdisciplinary field that lies at the intersection of global health, foreign policy, and international relations. As the world grapples with increasingly complex health challenges—ranging from pandemics to climate change and non-communicable diseases—there is a growing recognition that health can no longer be addressed within national boundaries alone. Instead, it requires diplomatic engagement across sectors and borders, with health professionals, diplomats, and policymakers collaborating to promote both global health equity and national interests.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of public health diplomacy. Countries had to negotiate vaccine distribution, share data transparently, and coordinate responses through multilateral platforms such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Public health diplomacy played a crucial role in these negotiations, highlighting its importance in crisis response and preparedness. Moreover, initiatives like COVAX, the Global Fund, and cross-border disease surveillance mechanisms exemplify how diplomatic efforts can enhance global health security (Kickbusch et al., 2007; Katz et al., 2011).

What makes this field particularly compelling is its dual objective: advancing public health goals while simultaneously building soft power and international goodwill. Health interventions have often been used as tools of diplomacy—for example, medical aid missions, joint disease eradication efforts, and health-focused peacebuilding programs. These strategies not only improve health outcomes but also foster trust and cooperation among nations (Fidler, 2005).

As a discipline, public health diplomacy calls for a new breed of professionals equipped with competencies in both global health and international negotiations. Academic institutions and training programs are beginning to recognize this need, integrating modules on diplomacy into public health curricula and vice versa. It is increasingly evident that success in global health efforts hinges not only on scientific and technical know-how but also on the ability to navigate political, cultural, and economic complexities across borders.

In conclusion, public health diplomacy is not just a reactive strategy in times of crisis but a proactive discipline for building resilient, cooperative, and equitable global health systems. As global interdependence deepens, this emerging field will become even more critical to shaping the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

References

1. Kickbusch, I., Silberschmidt, G., & Buss, P. (2007). Global health diplomacy: the need for new perspectives, strategic approaches and skills in global health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 85(3), 230–232. //doi.org/10.2471/BLT.06.039222

2. Fidler, D. P. (2005). Health and Foreign Policy: A Conceptual Overview. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(3), 234–240.

3. Katz, R., Kornblet, S., Arnold, G., Lief, E., & Fischer, J. E. (2011). Defining health diplomacy: Changing demands in the era of globalization. Milbank Quarterly, 89(3), 503–523. //doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2011.00637.x

Expanding demands on global health diplomacy require a unique blend of technical, legal, and diplomatic skills—a combination rarely cultivated in either traditional diplomatic services or public health professionals. As a result, the increasingly ambitious expectation that health interventions will also deliver broader development and diplomatic outcomes is often undermined by this persistent skills gap.                                                          

Reference : Katz, R., Kornblet, S., Arnold, G., Lief, E., & Fischer, J. E. (2011). Defining health diplomacy: changing demands in the era of globalization. The Milbank quarterly, 89(3), 503–523. //doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2011.00637.x

Global health diplomacy is an interdisciplinary area that provide tools to the professionals for engaging in dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building through approaches centered on equity, evidence, and community engagement. 9 action plans finalised in the summit at University of Memphis, highlight the need to develop training networks, define universal learning standards, and create a centralized platform to support research, innovation, and skill-building efforts. It also requires cross country and within country partnerships and collaborations between governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and local communities to tackle global health issues through inclusive and collaborative strategies. The real challenge—or skill—is figuring out how to coordinate them or help them work together in ways that benefit everyone. Even better would be to reshape them through open conversation and negotiation to find real, lasting solutions. Professional diplomats are certainly capable of navigating these complex situations, but that’s not always enough—and sometimes it can even get in the way. What we really need is for diplomats to be trained not only in traditional diplomatic skills but also in public policy, because policy decisions are a big part of foreign affairs today. Effective implementation and success depend on hands-on training, guidance from experienced mentors, and education that draws from multiple disciplines.

References:

Joshi, A., Magana, L., Tsai, K. H., Maddah, D., Mitchell, K., Ruggiero, D., ... & Mackey, T. K. (2025). Public health diplomacy: summary of the methods and outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1564709.

Camacho, J. J. G. (2023). Global Health Diplomacy. Revista Mexicana de Política Exterior, (125), 71-81.

Grand challenges—such as public health—require coordinated and integrated responses that draw on individual and institutional competencies, which may otherwise remain localized. Diplomacy can contribute to such coordination and integration, of which public health addresses issues. Both practitioners and scholars have increasingly recognized the importance of health in relation to other political issues such as trade, security, equity, development, and human rights This has led to recognition in the field of practice that health can also serve as an instrument of foreign policy. However, public health diplomacy faces a general challenge due geopolitical tensions and a rise in nationalism, which have fuelled competitiveness rather than cooperativeness. Even if public health diplomacy can develop a foundation for diplomatic relations in other political sectors, globalisation faces increasing criticism, and nations are coping differently with international relations. Thus, addressing global health challenges requires complex coordination and collaboration between actors, often through the process of Global Health Diplomacy (GHD)

References

1.Kickbusch, I., Nikogosian, H., Kazatchkine, M., & Kökény, M. (2021). A Guide to Global Health Diplomacy: Better Health – Improved Global Solidarity – More Equity. Global Health Center.

2. Ruckert A, Labonté R, Lencucha R, Runnels V, Gagnon M. Global health diplomacy: a critical review of the literature. Soc Sci Med. 2016;155:61–72.

3. Labonté R, Martin G, Storeng KT. Whither globalization and health in an era of geopolitical uncertainty? Global Health. 2022;18:87. //doi.org/10.1186/s12992-022-00881-x .

Responding to complex public health priorities, requires strategies to address wider determinants of health at policy level. A Health in all Policies (HiAP) approach recognizes that many policies impacting population health and health inequalities sit outside the health sector, for example in transport, education, housing and planning sectors. Municipal or local governments, with responsibilities across these sectors but with close links to local communities have been identified as the most feasible tier of government to enact HiAP. There is a need for public health and health promotion professionals to champion as policy advocates for health to be considered by policies across these sectors.

Advocacy is a core function of public health in promoting inclusion of health across the policy realm. Influencing policy to ensure health is considered across the policy realm is fundamental in addressing the wider determinants of health and reducing health inequalities with public health practitioners well positioned for this role. However, many practitioners engaged in advocacy lack experience and feel ill-equipped.

Public health practitioners acknowledge the importance of policy change for population health but feel lacking in experience, training and readiness for advocacy. Advocacy is seen as distinct from other public health strategies, requiring complex skills and knowledge. Formal training should include a stronger focus on policy advocacy, complemented by locally developed informal opportunities to navigate local processes and develop interpersonal skills. The public health profession should advocate for greater understanding, acceptance and trust in the advocacy role among decision-makers and practitioners.

References

Organization, W. H. (2021) Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021. World Health Organization, Geneva.

Lilly, K., Keanm B., Hallett, J., Robinson, S. and Selvey, L. A. (2023) Factors of the policy process influencing Health in All Policies in local government: a scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1010335.

World Health Organization. (2018) Key Learning on Health in All Policies Implementation from Around the World. Information Brochure. Geneva.

Cullerton, K., Donnet, T., Lee, A. and Gallegos, D. (2016b) Playing the policy game: a review of the barriers to and enablers of nutrition policy change. Public Health Nutrition, 19, 2643–2653.

Out of the several key insights from the recent paper on Public Health Diplomacy summit at University of Memphis, an interesting theme discussed was advancing public health diplomacy through education and training. The paper explains how the right education and training can be provided to develop necessary competencies required for public health diplomacy which includes experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, peer learning and  simulation programs. Enhancement of public health diplomacy education can also be achieved through global engagement programs including exchange programs etc.  which provides exposure to students of diverse health systems, policies with cultural context and diplomatic practices of different nations. 

Reference:

Joshi, A., Magana, L., Tsai, K. H., Maddah, D., Mitchell, K., Ruggiero, D., .& Mackey, T. K. (2025). Public health diplomacy: summary of the methods and outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1564709.

Global health diplomacy is a pluri-disciplinary field encompassing communication, facilitation, negotiation around geopolitical collaborations within multiple sectors like government, academics, NGOs and challenges such as COVID-19 pandemics, false information, humanitarian emergencies and international disputes[1]. With more training and education, today's youth could become more competent. To achieve "health for all" multiple competencies are expected to merge.

1. Joshi, A., Magana, L., Tsai, K. H., Maddah, D., Mitchell, K., Ruggiero, D., Hawkins, W. B., Dharamsi, S., Makhoul, J., Reis, R., Kim, S. Y., Low, W. Y., Amde, W., Nja, G., Jeu, M., Kelly, B., Saliba, B., Jha, N., Kalediene, R., Scarpetti, G., … Mackey, T. K. (2025). Public health diplomacy: summary of the methods and outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit. Frontiers in public health, 13, 1564709. //doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1564709