The Global Network for Academic Public Health and the World Health Organization Formalize Strategic Partnership

The Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), for which ASPPH proudly serves as Secretariat, has formalized a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing global efforts to strengthen the public health workforce and ensure resilient, equitable health systems worldwide.

Dr. Laura Magaña, ASPPH President & CEO and founding president of GNAPH, signed the MOU last month, reaffirming a shared commitment to supporting WHO's roadmap for national workforce capacity in the essential public health functions. This collaboration reflects a unified vision for preparing the next generation of public health professionals to meet the evolving challenges of a complex, interconnected global health landscape.

A key outcome of this collaboration has been the development of the Global Competency and Outcomes Framework for the Essential Public Health Functions, co-led by Dr. Magaña. Published in a June 2025 article in Education for Health, the framework offers a flexible and unifying structure to guide competency-based education for the public health and emergency workforce across all roles and regions.

This agreement further elevates GNAPH's role as a catalyst for academic innovation in public health, working closely with WHO and global partners to build a better-prepared public health workforce. As this strategic partnership continues, GNAPH remains committed to advancing impactful initiatives that bridge higher education and the future of global health.