Thank You to Outgoing Governing Council Member

The WFPHA recognizes the outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment of its Outgoing Governing Council (GC) member, Dr Jesus Gonzalez.

Dr Gonzalez, a surgeon from the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), served the GC as a representative of the Americas region.

Dr Gonzalez’s tenure as a member of our GC has been marked by his exceptional dedication, expertise, and relentless efforts to promote global public health. The WFPHA expresses its sincere gratitude to him for his invaluable contributions, which have undoubtedly advanced the organization’s mission to promote and protect public health worldwide. His exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication have been a source of inspiration for colleagues and peers alike.

As Dr Gonzalez embarks on new endeavors, the WFPHA extends its heartfelt appreciation and wishes him a fruitful journey ahead, confident in his ability to continue making a significant difference in the field of public health.

Big Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks

Since its inception, the tobacco industry has been at the forefront of influencing public opinion and disrupting health policy through various sophisticated and deceptive methods. As evidence has mounted supporting the undisputed deadly effects of tobacco products, the industry has found ways to adapt and thrive. They have succeeded in attracting enough new smokers to support industry growth despite losing eight million of their consumers annually to tobacco-related deaths. The sphere of influence of multi-billion dollar tobacco companies extends to the fields of scientific research, politics, law, education, and the media.

The WFPHA Tobacco Control Working Group has published a casebook entitled Big Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks: A Casebook of Seven Key Tactics Used by the Tobacco Industry which contains seven articles discussing key tactics used by tobacco corporations to improve their brand, hinder their opponents, and undermine tobacco control measures globally. The cases provide insights into the industry’s methods as they trick, manipulate, bribe, and threaten in the eternal quest for profit. Each article outlines a particular tactic, demonstrates examples where it has occurred, and offers recommendations for how individuals, professionals, organizations and governments can recognize and counteract them.

To evaluate readers’ feedback on the articles and investigate attitudes toward the tobacco industry tactics, a brief survey is provided. The quick anonymous survey can be accessed with the link below.

The more informed our society is about the tactics used by Big Tobacco, the better chance we have of effectively imposing tobacco control measures, reducing consumption globally and preventing tobacco-related illness and death.

Welcoming New Members

On May 19, 2022, during the General Assembly of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, member organizations have welcomed 3 new members; the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), the European Network of Medical Residents in Public Health (EuroNet MRPH), and World Patients Alliance.

We look forward to working together towards our shared goals of protecting and promoting health & wellbeing worldwide.

Welcoming New President

On May 19, 2022, the WFPHA formally welcomes its new President Prof. Luis Eugenio de Souza. He will hold the role of President for the next two years.

Luis is a professor at the Federal University of Bahia and a leader in health equity and sustainable development!

We Are Hiring!

The World Federation of Public Health Associations is currently looking for a Communication Officer (30%) for the International Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WFPHA is an international, non-profit, nongovernmental organization composed of over 130 associations member, mostly multidisciplinary national public health associations, and representing around 5 million public health professionals worldwide. WFPHA is accredited as an NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Federation is also accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), holds consultation status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and holds observer status with Codex Alimentarius of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Communications Officer (30%) will be responsible for developing, leading, and implementing the scientific communication strategy for the World Congress on Public Health.

Key Responsibilities

• Writing and editing of original content (letters, articles, statements, press releases, newsletters, etc.) in the area of global public health.
• Providing content for different platforms (website and social media).
• Producing visual content for social media.
• Executing external digital communications (website, social media, email/text campaigns, Google AdWords, etc.).
• Liaising and coordinating with stakeholders.
• Maintaining a database of media organizations and contacts within them.

Qualification and Experience

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations or similar.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with global public health.
• 4+ years prior experience in communication & press work, as well as social media. Previous experience in managing events’ communication would be an asset.
• Previous experience with congress communication would be an asset.
• Excellent command of English; further languages would be an asset.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge and experience using the Adobe Creative apps including Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, Premiere Elements, and other graphic design software.
• Knowledge and experience in producing and posting multimedia content for the web and social media.
• Knowledge of MS Office.
• Comfortable with new technologies.
• Eager to work within a multicultural and international environment.
• A good team player with a “can-do” attitude.
• Good at multi-tasking and working with strict deadlines.

Location

In-person or remote with one-week full time in Rome, Italy, in May 2023.

Period

Starts as soon as possible for 12 months.

Application Deadline

15 May 2022 (Midnight, CEST)

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the position, please send your CV and motivation letter to Dr Marta Lomazzi: marta.lomazzi@wfpha.org