AUTHOR=Frisina Doetter Lorraine , de Carvalho Gabriela , Aragon de Leon Emilia 
  
TITLE=Defining Competencies for Policymaking in Public Health: A Scoping Review on the State-of- The-Art
  
JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews
  
VOLUME=Volume 47 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2026.1609031
  
DOI=10.3389/phrs.2026.1609031
  
ISSN=2107-6952
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesThis study examines the competencies required for effective public health policymaking, seeking to identify and catalog existing scholarship and to develop an analytical framework organizing competencies into cross-cutting domains to guide training and capacity development.MethodsA scoping review of the literature was conducted, analysing 43 peer-reviewed studies that addressed policymaking competencies in public health. Competencies were inductively coded, synthesized, and organized into themes using thematic analysis.Results64 competencies were identified and mapped into eight domains: analytical and research, political, leadership and management, design thinking, collaboration and networking, communication, resource mobilization, and technology readiness. Analytical and research competencies were most frequently cited, underscoring the centrality of evidence-based decision-making. Design thinking and collaboration also featured prominently, reflecting the growing emphasis on complexity management and stakeholder engagement. By contrast, communication, resource mobilization, and technology readiness were underrepresented, despite their importance for modern policymaking.ConclusionThe resulting eight-domain framework consolidates a fragmented field and underscores the need for more comprehensive competency-building strategies. It offers practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and institutions seeking to strengthen public health leadership.