2007/2008: Moving ahead with strengthening public health capacity in the Balkans

CPHA Health Digest, Vol. 31, No. 4, Winter 2007/2008

 

CPHA is currently supporting the work of three new Public Health Associations (PHA) in southeastern Europe through the project Strengthening Balkans Civil Society’s Voice for Public Health through Public Health Associations. The Public Health Association of Serbia (PHAS), established in 2003, now boasts almost 700 members. In Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH), two new associations were formed in May 2007: the Partnership for Public Health in the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Public Health Association of Republika Srpska. These PHA are staffed by highly competent individuals who are passionate about public health in the region, and membership is growing as the public becomes more aware of the importance of a voice for the health of the public.

 

Two Canadian consultants, Lynn Langille and Sherryl Smith, recently spent some time in the region working with the staff and executive of the three PHA partners to support their work on tobacco control and cessation, and to being to assess the training programs that could be offered by the PHA to help enhance the skills of public health practitioners.