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International Work of the HPA

List of International Projects in which the HPA is involved

The international work of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) contributes to improving global public health and fulfils a humanitarian responsibility to share public health skills on a global basis. The experience gained through this work will allow the HPA to address health issues in England and Wales in a more informed, efficient and effective manner, undertake broader research, increase the knowledge base and to receive early warning of issues which may not yet be of concern to England and Wales. The HPA will contribute to improving global public health through offering a wide range of expertise and experience on the effect of infections, chemicals, poisons, and radiation hazards on human health.

During the summer of 2003 the HPA undertook a scoping exercise of the international work undertaken throughout the Agency. This exercise identified the need for the development of an International Health Strategy to ensure the Agency is taking a coherent approach by bringing together many of the current ad hoc activities.

The Strategy

A strategy supports the five year Corporate Plan strategic goal: To contribute to global health.
Through the corporate objectives:

  1. to ensure the HPA international activities contribute to HPA health goals
  2. to ensure that global health protection priorities are supported by HPA international activities

This strategy will ensure the international work of the HPA is done in a more focussed way, taking a programmatic approach to ensure best value is delivered to all stakeholders without stifling the enthusiasm of individuals working in this area.

The full strategy is available in the Board Papers section

The Vision

The HPA aims to be recognised internationally for high quality health protection work through:

  • collaborating with a range of other organisations to deliver programmes in partnership
  • aspiring to be a WHO Collaborating Centre for public health development in health protection
  • helping overseas countries to develop their public health capacity
  • having a cohort of recognised and respected international personnel offering professional and technical expertise.

The HPA is currently identifying the organisations, priority countries, and topic related programmes.

 

Emerging Health Threats Forum

The Emerging Health Threats Forum is an information service and peer-reviewed journal that the Health Protection Agency has been instrumental in establishing.