Guest lecture on public health policy on improvements in public health governance

A guest lecture titled “Public Health Policy Matters: The Power of Policy Analysis” was held at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), 16 Dzirciema iela, on 6 November this year. The lecture was delivered by Heide Weishaar, PhD, MSc, a senior public health researcher at the International Health Protection Center of the Robert Koch Institute and deputy head of the Evidence-based Public Health Unit (ZIG2) in Germany. It was moderated by acting Assoc. Prof. Dr. med. Sandra Dudareva.

During the lecture, several key aspects of public health policy, its formulation process, and governance models were discussed. Weishaar emphasised that public health policy is neither linear nor hierarchical but rather a complex, multilayered process involving various levels of government and sectors of society. Policy decisions are influenced by national, local, and global organizations, such as the European Union and the World Health Organization.

'All areas of public health issues – from employment policy to the organisation of healthcare and education systems – are closely linked to the development of health policy,' noted the guest lecturer.  She cited tobacco smoking restrictions as an example.

Weishaar specifically highlighted improvements in public health governance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shared a study analysing risk communication and public engagement, providing valuable examples and comparisons between Germany and other countries. She stressed the importance of focusing on vulnerable groups, such as migrants and the elderly, whose access to information is often limited.

The lecture also examined various advocacy coalition models and their role in policy-making, particularly regarding smoking restrictions and other public health policy issues. Weishaar provided an in-depth analysis of how different political actors – health organisations, research institutions, local authorities, and pharmaceutical industry stakeholders – collaborated to influence health policy development and address public health challenges.

Throughout the lecture, attendees gained insights into how international collaboration and policy-making shape public health and how lessons from past crises can improve future policies’ effectiveness.

At the conclusion of the lecture, a discussion was held on public health governance and its challenges. Participants shared their views on how policies influence healthcare systems, including access to healthcare and employment conditions, and their close relationship with public health issues. The guest lecturer emphasised that effective policy-making requires collaboration and mutual understanding among stakeholders and that policies must account for both local and global contexts.