By Joy Marini, Executive Director, Maternal and Child Health, Women and Girls at Johnson & Johnson
Good health is not possible without the workers — the nurses, midwives, doctors and others — who are on the front lines of delivering care. Following World Health Worker Week, there’s a whole new conversation identifying specific actions the global community must prioritize if we hope to address the shortage of health workers.
Exactly what actions and investments are needed to ensure health workers around the world have what they need so that everyone, everywhere can thrive
1. Make gender equity a priority. Gender equity in the workforce, and especially in health leadership means a better work environment, and better health for all.
2. Partner to give health workers the tools they need to do their job. Too many health heroes lack access to ongoing training, and too many lack the supplies needed to deliver quality care. Far too many are underpaid, and work in facilities that are understaffed.
3. Bring youth voices to the table. Their voices, leadership and determination to see positive change will transform the trajectory of human health forever.
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4. Listen to the local community. Local change makers need partnerships, not directives, to advance health in their communities.
5. Harness the power of health technology. Innovative tech solutions help health workers collect and analyze data. They also bring lifesaving health information to patients.
6. Use data to drive decision making. Collect and analyze data to understand what’s working and what can be improved, and make decisions accordingly.
7. Invest in the well-being of health workers themselves. Health workers endure enormous physical and emotional stresses, and need mental health and human resources support to remain resilient.
Share additional solutions with us and follow @JNJGlobalHealth’s 7 Days of Solutions campaign from April 12-20.
(Originally published on LinkedIn)
Johnson and Johnson is No. 5 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list
