Enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration in health: the open arena for public health as a model for bridging the knowledge-translation gap

Christian Pradier; Marta A Balinska; Laurent Bailly

doi:10.3389/frhs.2023.1216234

Enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration in health: the open arena for public health as a model for bridging the knowledge-translation gap

Front Health Serv. 2023 Sep 18:3:1216234. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1216234. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Christian Pradier^{1

2}, Marta A Balinska², Laurent Bailly^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Nice University Hospital, University of Côte D'Azur, Nice, France.
² Clinical Research Unit (UR2CA), Nice University Hospital, University of Côte D'Azur, Nice, France.

Abstract

Effective public health interventions at local level must involve communities and stakeholders beyond the health services spectrum. A dedicated venue for structured discussion will ensure ongoing multi-sectoral collaboration more effectively than convening ad hoc meetings. Such a venue can be created using existing resources, at minimal extra cost. The University Hospital in Nice (France) has established an Open Arena for Public Health which can serve as a model for promoting collaborative partnerships at local level. The Arena has been successful in implementing sustainable interventions thanks to a set of principles, including: non-hierarchical governance and operating, fair representation of stakeholders, consensus as to best available evidence internationally and locally, policy dialogues: open, free-flowing discussions without preconceived solutions, and an experimental approach to interventions.

Keywords: community-Based participatory research; health promotion; knowledge sharing; multi-sectoral collaboration; policy dialogue.