The Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), for which ASPPH proudly serves as Secretariat, has formalized a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing global efforts to strengthen the public health workforce and ensure resilient, equitable health systems worldwide.

Dr. Laura Magaña, ASPPH President & CEO and founding president of GNAPH, signed the MOU last month, reaffirming a shared commitment to supporting WHO’s roadmap for national workforce capacity in the essential public health functions. This collaboration reflects a unified vision for preparing the next generation of public health professionals to meet the evolving challenges of a complex, interconnected global health landscape.

A key outcome of this collaboration has been the development of the Global Competency and Outcomes Framework for the Essential Public Health Functions, co-led by Dr. Magaña. Published in a June 2025 article in Education for Health, the framework offers a flexible and unifying structure to guide competency-based education for the public health and emergency workforce across all roles and regions.

This agreement further elevates GNAPH’s role as a catalyst for academic innovation in public health, working closely with WHO and global partners to build a better-prepared public health workforce. As this strategic partnership continues, GNAPH remains committed to advancing impactful initiatives that bridge higher education and the future of global health.