Global Public Health Alliance

Global Public Health Alliance​

Coordinating global public health leadership for collective impact​

What is the Global Public Health Alliance?​

The Global Public Health Alliance brings together international public health organisations and networks around a shared ambition: to strengthen cooperation and collective leadership across the public health ecosystem from national to global levels. We are doing this to protect and promote health. ​ ​

By aligning voices, expertise, and action, the Alliance seeks to advance more coherent, effective, and equitable public health responses in every country.​

Through its three founding networks, the Alliance brings together more than 750 public health associations, national institutes, schools, and academic institutions, representing over five million public health professionals and serving populations exceeding six billion people worldwide.

Latest News

Representatives of the founding organizations at the launch of the Global Public Health Alliance, 18th World Congress of Public Health, Cape Town, 8 September 2026

8 September 2026  ·  Cape Town, South Africa

Global Public Health Alliance Launches at World Congress of Public Health in Cape Town

Three major pillars of the global public health community formally joined forces with the launch of the Global Public Health Alliance at the 18th World Congress of Public Health. Together, the World Federation of Public Health Associations, the Global Network for Academic Public Health and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes represent more than five million public health professionals and over 600 institutions worldwide.

Read the full press release

Mission & Vision​

MISSION

Strengthen cooperation and collective leadership across the global public health ecosystem by aligning expertise, priorities, and action. Through coordination and collaboration, the Alliance supports more effective and equitable public health responses at global, regional, and national levels.​

VISION

A global public health system that is aligned, collaborative, and resilient—capable of addressing complex and interconnected health challenges at national, regional and global levels, through shared leadership and sustained cooperation, to protect and promote health.​

Our Members​​

The Alliance brings together complementary pillars of the global public health ecosystem—professional practice, public health institutions, and academia.​​ ​

Three founding organisations representing millions of public health professionals and institutions worldwide​​

World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)​​​

Founded in 1967, WFPHA is the global umbrella organization representing about 140 national and regional public health associations, giving voice to over five million public health professionals worldwide.

It supports capacity building, knowledge exchange, and advocacy, and works with global institutions to promote evidence-based public health policies and practice grounded in national and regional realities.

WFPHA is in official relations with WHO, UNEP, ECOSOC, and the Codex Alimentarius.

wfpha.org

International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI)​​​​

Founded in 2006, IANPHI is the global network bringing together government funded agencies responsible for public health.

Through peer learning, technical cooperation, and institutional support, IANPHI works to build robust and resilient public health systems.

With 129 member institutes in 107 countries, its members address major public health challenges and contribute to improving population health worldwide.

ianphi.org

Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH)​​​​

Founded in 2020, GNAPH is the global network which connects regional academic and public health networks across continents, strengthening links between research, education, and policy.

It convenes academic leaders to address issues of global concern, supports workforce development, and promotes collaboration to advance academic public health and protect the health of people and the planet.

With over 500 institutions, the network spans academic public health institutions across all six continents, training both the current and future public health workforce.

globalnetworkpublichealth.org

Coordinating Committee​

The Coordinating Committee provides strategic oversight, leadership guidance, and operational alignment to ensure that the Alliance advances its mission effectively and responsibly. The Coordinating Committee brings extensive experience in public health leadership, policy, academia, and international collaboration, ensuring that the Alliance remains responsive, forward-looking, and committed to advancing global public health.

Chair

Raman Bedi​

Professor Raman Bedi is a British dentist, academic, and global leader in dental public health. He is Emeritus Professor at King’s College London and previously served as Chief Dental Officer for England from 2002 to 2005, advising the UK government on national oral health policy. Professor Bedi has led numerous international initiatives aimed at improving child oral health and reducing oral health inequalities worldwide. He has published extensively in the field of dental public health and health policy. He currently serves as Vice President and President-Elect of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), where he contributes to advancing global collaboration and advocacy in public health.

Members

John Middleton​

Professor John Middleton is the President of the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), based in Washington DC. He is Honorary Professor of Public Health at Wolverhampton University, and a Visiting Professor of Public Health at Chester University, and Derby University in the UK.  He was President of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) from 2019-2022. He was President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, the standard-setting body for public health professionals from 2016-2019.  For 26 years, he was Director of Public Health for Sandwell in the West Midlands of England. His work has focused on health equity, climate change, environmental health and planetary health, law enforcement and public health, public health workforce strengthening and development, and developing public health systems responsive to modern global challenges. He has recently been profiled in the Lancet.

Laura Magaña

Professor Laura Magaña is President and CEO of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) in Washington, DC, and Founding President of the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH). She holds a background in public health education and has over 40 years of experience advancing academic public health institutions across Mexico, the United States, and Central America. Under her leadership, ASPPH has doubled its membership and launched landmark initiatives including the Academic Public Health Leadership Institute and the Center for Public Health Workforce Development. Her scholarly work includes over 100 publications focused on learning environments, educational technology, and public health education. She serves on numerous international boards and professional committees, contributing expertise on strategic initiatives addressing racism in academia, climate and health, education innovation, and workforce development.

Duncan Selbie​

Professor Duncan Selbie has been the president of IANPHI since December 2020. He was the founding chief executive of Public Health England from 2012 to 2020. Prior to 2012, he was chief executive of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, the regional teaching hospital for the southeast of England. From 2003 to 2007, he was the director general of Programmes and Performance for the NHS in England and subsequently director general of Commissioning. Prior to this, he was chief executive of Southeast London Strategic Health Authority, and before that, chief executive of the Southwest London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. Since April 2021, he has been the chief adviser to the public health authority of Saudi Arabia.

Neil Squires ​

Professor Neil Squires was appointed Secretary General of IANPHI in May 2025. Prior to moving to IANPHI, Neil was the Director of Global Operations at the UK Health Security Agency, and previously Director Global Health at Public Health England. He was formerly the Head of Profession for Health and the UK Department for International Development. Neil is a medical doctor trained in Public Health, who has worked clinically and in public health in the UK and Africa, and as a health adviser in Africa and Asia and as a seconded expert with the European Commission. Neil is an Honorary Professor of Global Health at Lincoln University and a Board Member of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Bettina Borisch​

Professor Bettina Borisch is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), headquartered in Geneva. Prof. Borisch is a Medical Doctor and Histopathologist, holds a Master of Public Health (MPH), and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathology (UK). She is also a historian and Professor Emerita at the Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva. Her academic and professional work spans community-based oncology, health communication, and global health. She has published and co-authored over 120 scientific papers and serves as co-editor of the Journal of Public Health Policy Federation’s Pages.

Secretary General

Marta Lomazzi​

Dr Marta Lomazzi serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). A medical biotechnologist by training, Dr. Lomazzi holds a PhD in Neurosciences and has completed advanced studies in Health Diplomacy and Negotiations. As an accomplished and innovative manager and public health professional, she has over 15 years of experience in operational management, strategic planning, fundraising, and relationship-building within international settings. Dr. Lomazzi represents the Federation on key councils and at major international meetings. Deeply committed to public health and equity, she is also one of the founding members of the WFPHA's International Immunization Policy Taskforce.

What We Do​​

Core Functions​​

Connecting & Coordinating​

Facilitating the linkage between agencies and institutes and the exchange of intelligence, evidence, and perspectives across organisations and regions​

Policy Dialogue & Positioning​

Contributing to global health discussions and developing consensus and shared messages on strategic public health issues​

Collective Action​​

Supporting aligned initiatives and coordinated responses during key global health moments​

Additional Core Functions​​

Strategic Partnerships​​

Engaging with international institutions, governments, and other stakeholders to advance shared public health goals​

Engaging and Shaping Public Health Investment​​

Facilitating dialogue with funding agencies and philanthropic actors, to support coordinated and strategic investments in public health​

Strategic Priorities​

Pandemic preparedness and response​

Health equity​​

Noncommunicable diseases​​

Climate and planetary health​​

Capacity building for the public health workforce​​

These priorities evolve over time, reflecting emerging challenges and collective agreement among members.​

Sponsor

Thanks to our Founding Sponsors

Kenvue

Get Involved​

The Global Public Health Alliance welcomes engagement from public health organisations and networks, national and international institutions, governments, philanthropic foundations, and academic communities.​

Contact the GPHA Secretariat:​
secretariat@gphalliance.org​ ​

© 2026 Global Public Health Alliance​

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