Assessing public health training in Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom: A comparison of competency development for delivering the Essential Public Health Functions

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Public health training in the ASEAN region is diverse and requires increased collaboration and investment to strengthen the workforce and standardize curricula. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Sok King Ong; Kathryn Hamilton; Ahmed Razavi; Tran Thu Ngan; Siyan Yi; Chandrashekhar T Sreeramareddy; Awang Bulgiba; Carl Abelardo Antonio; Raymond Boon Tar Lim; Dyna Khuon; Heng Sotheara; Mayfong Mayxay; Hla Hla Win; Surintorn Kalampakorn; Wahyu Septiono; Samia Latif; Norhayati Kassim; Jeannette Lee Jen Mai; Chee Hsiang Liow; Samuel YS Wong; Kenneth Kok

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2026.106198

Key Points

The analysis aims to assess the competency development in public health training programs across Southeast Asia and the UK.
Conducted a systematic analysis of public health training programs
Compared institutional maturity, policies, and resources
Evaluated population health contexts and alignment with Essential Public Health Functions
Identified significant diversity in public health training across ASEAN countries
Highlighted the UK model as a potential framework for improvement
Recommended increased collaboration and standardisation of training curricula

Implication

This systematic analysis compares competency development in public health training across regions, highlighting implications for workforce strength.

Abstract

This first systematic analysis highlights the diversity of public health training in the ASEAN region, reflecting differences in institutional maturity, policies, resources, and population health contexts. Strengthening the public health workforce requires increased regional collaboration, investment, and harmonised competency-based training. Leveraging the experience of the UK model, ASEAN can work towards standardised curricula and expanded access through multisectoral entry pathways, enabling coordinated workforce development aligned with health priorities.

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Cite This Study

Ong et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699bee1c1c6c6bad5397fca3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2026.106198

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Assessing public health training in Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom: A comparison of competency development for delivering the Essential Public Health Functions

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Assessing public health training in Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom: A comparison of competency development for delivering the Essential Public Health Functions

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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