Public health has the unique opportunity to bring together multiple domains of knowledge and action to improve the lives of people. Its greatest strength is its singular focus on maximizing health so that society can achieve its most cherished values: That children are born healthy and grow up to learn and work, that workers are productive and healthy, that parents can raise their families with safety and security, and that people can live their lives in good health and dignity as they age.
This is achieved through disease prevention and health promotion, and by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of medical, environmental and community services. The programs are designed to minimize the burden of illness and injury and maximize quality of life, while promoting individual responsibility for self-care.
Health promotion programs focus on educating individuals and communities about the causes, effects, and risks of certain diseases or risk factors for certain diseases. They may include education about medical procedures, operations, and treatment; counseling to improve behavioral or personal lifestyle choices; designing, implementing, or leading activities for weight control, hypertension, nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, smoking cessation, and health screenings. They also may design and write grant proposals.
This function is to develop, promote and implement evidence-based policies in support of public health goals. These policies should be based on the principles of equity, collaboration and transparency. They must be aligned with the mission and vision of the organization and the strategic direction of the department. They must include performance improvement measures and indicators.
Health policy development is a dynamic process and requires the involvement of stakeholders, including patients, providers, health care systems, researchers, community organizations, business and industry leaders, policymakers, and others. The goal is to develop a policy that best serves the population.
A major challenge of health policy development is the “prevention paradox,” which states that large gains in population health are often achieved through a series of small changes that offer little to each participant individually. This makes leadership, communication, and partnerships essential to progress.
Managing a health program is complex, and many departments are struggling to keep up. This is particularly true during times of crisis, when the demand for services increases. To meet this demand, public health agencies must modernize their data capabilities and build a robust workforce. They must also reshape their organizational models and operating practices to better support an integrated approach to health equity.
McKinsey is committed to supporting and advancing this vision. We are partnering with our clients, partners, and stakeholders to make it a reality. This includes a new operating model that places a stronger emphasis on the integration of health equity into every aspect of the agency, and that centers equity as an explicit, nonnegotiable objective in all strategic planning, metrics, and program design. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of this integrated approach, and we are working to strengthen it for the future. To do so, we must provide support for strategic organizational and divisional goals; invest in talent management and capability building; and foster a more holistic culture of engagement throughout the agency.