Public Health Practice in Australia: The Organised Effort

Assess, analyse and communicate population health needs
and community expectations

Established practice	Evolving practice
• monitor physical, mental and social morbidity and the causes of mortality • research and monitor the determinants of health • assess population health needs and risks • undertake research to identify the causes of and solutions to health problems in populations	• conduct public health program evaluation and outcome research • 'evaluate health services and conduct research on the outcomes of health services • conduct cross-disciplinary and multi-method research

Prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases
and injuries through risk factor reduction, education, screening,
immunisation and other interventions

Established practice

Evolving practice

• conduct disease, injury and risk factor surveillance • conduct disease outbreak investigation and control. • screen for selected communicable and non- communicable diseases • implement comprehensive communicable disease control programs, including the provision of immuni- sation • treat cases of infectious disease • provide public health laboratory services • provide veterinary public health services • enable and encourage communities and individuals to adopt and maintain healthy practices, such as appropriate diet, moderate alcohol intake, physical activity, no smoking and improved oral health (includ- ing fluoride supplementation)

• monitor, research and respond to newly emerging disease threats (e.g. nosocomial infections, including antibiotic resistance) • address the social and economic determinants of non-communicable diseases • address risk factors for intentional injuries

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