Public Health Branch
Director: Dr Jim Hyde
Chief Health Officer: Dr John Carnie
General Enquiries: Tel (61 3) 9096 0350
The Public Health Branch has major responsibilities for maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. Public Health, in partnership with communities, government and other organisations, focuses on the health of all Victorians by:
- promoting health and wellbeing for all
- preventing and minimising the effects of disease, illness and injury
- addressing inequalities and the underlying causes of ill health
- responding to public health threats and community concerns
- promoting informed decision-making through a solid foundation of research, policy and legislation.
Public Health Branch Strategic Directions 2005–09 (109kb, pdf)
The Public Health Branch is made up of four units:
Communicable Disease Prevention & Control
The Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit aims to reduce the risk of current and emerging infectious diseases in Victoria through the implementation of patient focussed and population focussed control strategies based on surveillance and risk assessment.
The Environmental Health Unit addresses issues in relation to the protection of the Victorian community from environmental dangers arising from food, air, land or water as well as radiation and other poisonous substances.
Food Safety & Regulatory Activities
The Food Safety and Regulatory Activities Unit has a role in informing and educating businesses, stakeholders and the community about food safety, pest control and cemetery and crematorium related matters, and contributing to state and national policy in these areas.
The Health Development Unit is focused on developing, leading and supporting quality primary and secondary population-based prevention policy, programmes and interventions that reduce the incidence and impact of non-communicable health conditions. This will be undertaken by providing leadership in policy and program design, development and management; strengthening partnerships for policy development and program delivery; facilitating capacity building for organisations planning, delivering and evaluating primary and secondary prevention interventions; linking and strengthening current primary and secondary prevention interventions and by building internal workforce capacity.