Leadership in Public Health: Opportunities for Young Generations Within Scientific Associations and the Experience of the "Academy of Young Leaders".

Vincenza Gianfredi,Leandro Gentile,Sveva Mangano,Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani,Marco Gola,Francesco Auxilia,Silvana Castaldi,Maria Eugenia Colucci,Carlo Signorelli,Stefania Scuri,Stefano Capolongo,Anna Odone,Gabriele Pelissero,Lucia Federica Carpagnano,Antonio Piscitelli,Filippo Quattrone,Federica Balzarini

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00378

Abstract

This paper outlines the characteristics of scientific leadership and the role of Scientific Associations with their specific activities. The recent activities of the Lombard Academy of Public Health are subsequently described, including the creation, in 2019, of the Academy of young leaders in public health. Comparing to other sectors, scientific leadership dynamics take into consideration different aspects. Besides awards (Nobel Prize or several other) and prestigious affiliations, eventual indicators might be academic roles, fundraising abilities, relevant positions among scientific associations, editors of prestigious journals or editorial series and, more recently, high bibliometric indicators. The peculiar topics of public health encompass interactions with institutions, authorities, politicians, involved in different levels in health policies. Recently, in Italy, the Ministry of Health has identified parameters to be accreditated as a scientific and technical association. The role of SItI (Italian Society of Hygiene), EUPHA, ASPHER, and WFPHA appears relevant in PH, in national and international contexts, with Italian praiseworthy members constantly achieving leading roles. Considering that few training opportunities aimed to improve research and leadership skills are available, Accademia Lombarda di Sanità Pubblica (ALSP) designed the AYLPH (Academy of Young Leaders in Public Health) program. AYLPH program is a 1-year training to shape leadership skills among young professionals. A set of didactic, theoretical and practical methods was offered and evaluated.

Highlights

Leadership is an innate aspect of human behavior and, when lacking, progress in society, at community, national or individual level cannot be achieved
The aim of this paper is to describe the conceptual framework behind the AYLPH program, the implementation process, and the preliminary results obtained
According to a European survey [28], and a more recent Italian survey [29], public health trainings lack of drawing out leadership qualities. In this regard, creating a program for young professionals highly motivated for leadership careers in public health is a valuable educational goal, especially considering the innovative didactic methods used

Summary

Introduction

Leadership is an innate aspect of human behavior and, when lacking, progress in society, at community, national or individual level cannot be achieved. Considering Italian situation, in the current health care system, undermined by the progressive aging population [3], distrust in institutions, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine hesitancy [4, 5], lack of equity and unhealthy lifestyles [6, 7], there is an urgent need of powerful and effective leaders. In this context, public health is emerging from a behind-the-scenes discipline to a trans-discipline that integrates theoretical concepts with health-care assistance [8]. This is in line with the WHO (World Health Organization) approach, establishing “Strategic leadership for health” among the ten key areas of public health practice [17]

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Results

Conclusion