Pacific public health workforce needs assessment Stage one - desk research - Report to the Public Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health (2nd draft)

 
Report Summary
 
This report presents the findings of the first stage of a “needs assessment” study of the Pacific public health workforce. The objectives of the entire study are to develop a conceptual model of the Pacific public health workforce, to complete a national profile of that workforce, and to identify practical strategies to address the key workforce development issues facing that workforce. The specific purpose of this first (desk research) stage is to set the scene for the second stage, which will comprise fono and interviews with Pacific public health workers, their employers and other stakeholders.

Is there a problem?
The conceptual model that we have developed of the Pacific public health workforce is based on a number of assumptions which are identified below.

1. Public health activity plays a key role in achieving health outcomes for Pacific people
2. The uptake of public health services by Pacific people is currently sub-optimal
3. The reach, and uptake, of public health services by Pacific people are positively correlated to the participation of Pacific people delivering public health services
4. Pacific people are currently under-represented in the public health workforce
5. The development of the Pacific public health workforce can be improved (cost effectively) via appropriate policy interventions.

Profile of the workforce
The Pacific public health workforce has grown appreciably over the last decade or so, but from a low base.  Pacific people are under-represented in most public health occupations (for which data is available), and are particularly under-represented in the clinical roles.

The profile of the Pacific public health workforce broadly mirrors that of the Pacific workforce across all occupations in New Zealand in terms of location (with an over-representation in Auckland and other urban areas).