INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines interdisciplinary approaches to public health advocacy and community development in Nigeria. Public health challenges in Nigeria, including communicable diseases, maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and emerging non-communicable diseases, require integrated strategies that cut across multiple disciplines. The study explores how collaboration among public health professionals, social workers, educators, librarians, communication experts, community leaders, and policymakers can enhance health advocacy and community development outcomes. A qualitative conceptual approach is adopted through the review of relevant literature on interdisciplinary collaboration in public health. Findings reveal that interdisciplinary approaches improve health communication, strengthen community participation, enhance policy implementation, and promote sustainable health interventions. However, challenges such as professional silos, inadequate funding, weak coordination, and limited inter-sectoral collaboration hinder effective implementation in Nigeria. The study recommends strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, capacity building, community engagement, and policy integration to enhance public health advocacy and community development outcomes. The research contributes to understanding how interdisciplinary collaboration can improve health systems and community wellbeing in Nigeria.