A proposed core model of the new public health for a healthier collectivity: how to sustain transdisciplinary and intersectoral partnerships

Abstract

At present, there is no conceptual model by which public health could be represented as intersectoral governance collaborating with society and the state, and acting as a collective on the determinants of health. In this article, our interdisciplinary group, representing core competencies in public health, suggest two complementary conceptual models as frameworks for a diverse public concerned with public health and its core functions. The first conceptual ‘core model’ roots from the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. It represents the interrelationships of the three main poles united at the biopower level: the collectivity (entire population), the contemporary state and public health. In the second conceptual model, we present the various components in the meta-network of public health governance. We also present the roles of heterogeneous actors and how they can collaborate within a prominent process of capacity building and development of practice in public health. Thus, we emphasize the importance of intersectoral partnerships the contemporary state can make with public health without inducing any rupture with the social fabric. Our two complementary models can help actors from all sectors better understand the most frequent questions in public health governance (functions, roles, ingredients) and the challenges that intersectoral actors may very likely encounter in the implementation of these frameworks. The sustainability of well-balanced transdisciplinary and intersectoral partnerships contribute to a successful implementation of public health governance, and most importantly to a good health status for the collectivity.

Keywords:

• New public health
• governance
• intersectoral collaboration
• knowledge translation and exchange
• social action

Abbreviations:

• EBPH: evidence based public health
• HiAP: health in all policies
• NGO: non-governmental organization
• NPH: new public health
• WHO: World Health Organization

Acknowledgements

All authors are grateful to Professor Louise Potvin for her comments and suggestions. They are also thankful to Dr. Rafael Koerich Varaschin for his suggestions, and to Heather Hickey for English editing. The first author would like to thank his academic supervisor Dr. Sami Haddad for his confidence and his continuous support and his colleague Jessie Ménard for her comments.

Notes

1. First, we added the core of the model which is represented by the three main poles at the biopower level (i.e. combination of discipline and bio-politics). Thus, the health status of individuals is included just like that of the population. Second, we added two essential factors that influence human activity and health: food accessibility and security (to the living environment circle), and public transit (to the systems circle). We also added two elements in the global context circle: international regulations and norms, and global risk management.

2. The following socio-economic determinants of health could be interrelated: race/ethnicity, gender, age, revenue, lifestyle, education level, occupational status, social background and neighbourhoods.