Mind the public health leadership gap: the opportunities and challenges of engaging high-profile individuals in the public health agenda.

Background Public health leadership has been criticized as being ineffective. The public health profession is relatively small. Critics have argued that there is over-emphasis on technical aspects and insufficient use of the ‘community as a source of public health actions’. Methods The paper analyses the resources, motivations and skills utilized by high-profile individuals who have made contributions to the public health agenda. The phenomenon of celebrity diplomacy is critiqued. Two exemplars are discussed: Jamie Oliver and Michael Bloomberg. The risks of involving celebrities are also considered. Results Leaders for public health demonstrate ‘a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will’ to make the ‘right decisions happen’. While they may have ego or self-interest, in this context, at least, they channel their ambition for the public health cause, not themselves. Conclusions Leaders from outside public health may have no understanding of what public health is nor consider their work as part of a wider public health agenda. It is important to understand why they become leaders for public health. This will inform a strategy for how others may be encouraged to collaborate for public health causes. Some key points for working with high-profile leaders for public health are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]