Human resources for health

Global Key Message

• Major reductions in premature deaths from cancer, and improvements in quality of life and cancer survival rates cannot be achieved without a skilled and supported cancer workforce with formalised expertise in all disciplines of cancer control and at all levels of health service.
• Developing innovative education and training programmes for cancer healthcare professionals that build on existing materials, training networks and infrastructure is the best approach.
• Sustained and accelerated progress towards universal health coverage must be linked with specific efforts to strengthen the health workforce.
• Greater attention is needed to systematically monitor shifts in the character and size of the cancer workforce, to inform new and existing programs, and to advocate for policy changes to address workforce shortages.