A woman’s role in health leadership: an assessment of experiences during acute public health emergencies

Authors

  • He Bai College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
  • Jocelyn J Herstein College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
  • Peta-Anne Zimmerman School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Infection Control Department, Gold Coast Health, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Collaborative for the Advancement of Infection Prevention and Control, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
  • Meru Sheel School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Women in Global Health Australia, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
  • Renée Christensen World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Jocelyne M Basseal Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Sharon Salmon UNSW Medicine & Health, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2024.15.5.1303

Keywords:

emergency response, leadership, women, public health, global health, global outbreak alert and response network, western pacific

Abstract

Objective: We explored the experiences of women in senior or leadership roles in navigating and leading during acute public health emergencies.

Methods: Women leaders in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region attending the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network’s Outbreak Response Leadership Training (11–18 September 2024) were invited to participate in this phenomenological study. Eleven interviews were conducted with training attendees and observational data were gathered. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes.

Results: Four themes associated with women-centric experiences in public health emergency response were identified: disproportionate expectations in the workplace; the use of authoritarian decision-making during planning and implementation; encompassing different perspectives and leadership styles compared to men; and requesting additional opportunities and equitable prospects for career growth. Four themes that reflect non-gender-exclusive challenges experienced during emergency responses were also detailed. Themes observed were related to: barriers to efficiency; consequences of working within this field; and needs and necessities during emergency response.

Discussion: This study highlights both gender-specific and systemic challenges experienced by women leaders in public health emergency responses, revealing how sociocultural norms and operational barriers intersect during times of crisis. We identified opportunities to assist women leaders through the recognition and promotion of different leadership styles, establishing a support network for women, and addressing systemic and organizational barriers that impact women.

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Published

24-11-2025

How to Cite

1.
Bai H, Herstein JJ, Zimmerman P-A, Sheel M, Christensen R, Basseal JM, Salmon S. A woman’s role in health leadership: an assessment of experiences during acute public health emergencies. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 24 [cited 2026 Mar. 23];15(5). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/1303

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 5 (2024): Special Edition: Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN)

Section

Original Research

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