This is a flexible learning unit and deals with foundational concepts and issues relating to public health. The philosophical and historical development and the role of public health in Australia are examined, as are policies and principles that govern and inform practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding health issues and concerns in Greater Western Sydney Region as well as on national and international contexts of population health. The unit draws on current and emerging practical situations to highlight the dynamic yet continuing legacy of public health. There is a need to visit a public health unit for consultation purposes.

The Australian health care system is highly complex, consisting of inter-related sub-systems and is influenced by the broader socio-political environment. It is essential that health professionals understand and consider the economic, political and social context within which health policy and planning occur, so that strategies and policies are developed which are economically and politically viable, as well as socially acceptable and responsive to the actual needs of the community. This unit aims to develop an understanding of the policy making and planning processes within this broad context and to introduce the theory and skills related to such activities.

This unit applies the theoretical concepts introduced in the unit, Health Politics, Policy and Planning namely the conduct of a health review, needs analysis, priority determination, and strategic planning. The emphasis is on group experiential learning, developing analytical skills required for comprehensive assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of health plans. The topics are selected from current health priority issues and represent a realistic exercise. Students, functioning as a working party, develop knowledge and skills in negotiation, group work, committee structure and functioning, consultation and research processes, planning process and report writing.

Injury Prevention is a National Health Priority. Injury is the preferred term rather than ‘accident’ with its connotations of inevitability and lack of apparent cause, to allow development of inter-disciplinary prevention initiatives. A systematic scientific approach to injury research and prevention is in evidence for road and occupational safety, backed by well resourced implementation structures. Other settings/sectors include sport, recreation, falls, firearms, farm, product and water safety, which are also seeing the benefits of injury prevention principles, which include health promotion issue analysis and strategic hierarchical implementation strategies using the 4Es of education, enforcement, engineering and environment.

This unit builds on the knowledge gained in Essentials of Health Promotion. It provides the opportunity to apply health promotion theory to practical projects in the field related to current population health priorities, through 140 hours placement experience. It examines a range of political, social and economic issues and the way in which they impact on current health promotion practice. Working intersectorally, building capacity and applying best practice guidelines in the implementation of quality health promotion interventions is examined.

This unit builds on the knowledge gained in Health Promotion Practice through web based teaching and 140 hours placement in the field. It provides the opportunity to develop higher order health promotion skills with practical projects in the field related to current population health priorities. It also examines community development strategies, capacity building approaches, social marketing and media through involvement in an extended placement. Furthermore, students gain project management skills.