Public health is the system that protects, promotes and improves the health and wellbeing of communities.
It includes actions to:
- prevent illness and injury
- promote physical and mental health and wellbeing
- protect people from environmental health risks
- reduce health inequalities across the population.
Public health focuses on the health of communities or populations as a whole. This is different from healthcare services, which mainly focus on treating existing health conditions and caring for individuals.
Examples of public health actions
Public health supports South Australians every day, often in ways people may not notice, to improve physical health, mental health and social connection. Examples of public health action include:
- vaccination programs
- drinking water quality monitoring
- food safety inspections
- air quality and wastewater management
- emergency and pandemic responses
- smoke-free, sun protection and healthy eating policies
- access to safe and healthy public spaces, playgrounds, community centres, libraries and creative spaces.
Who works to improve public health?
Public health actions are supported by many groups and organisations across many sectors.
Government agencies, local councils, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), healthcare providers, schools, businesses and community groups all support healthier environments and communities.
Individuals also have a role to play in public health as the choices each person makes can impact their environment, family, neighbours, and communities more broadly.
Public health data and evidence
Data, evidence and community input help guide public health planning and decision-making. This includes:
- population data
- health behaviour and health outcome data
- environmental, social and economic conditions data.
This information helps identify current and emerging public health issues, understand community needs and guide public health actions.
The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report is an example of using public health data and evidence to inform actions. The report provides information about the health and wellbeing of South Australians and identifies public health issues affecting communities. This report also informs the State Public Health Plan and Regional Public Health Plans. Read the Chief Public Health Officer’s Report.
About the State Public Health Plan
The State Public Health Plan (the Plan) assesses the state of public health in South Australia as required by the South Australian Public Health Act 2011. It identifies existing and emerging risks and provides a strategy to eliminate or reduce those risks.
The Plan is informed by the Regional Public Health Plans developed by local government. The Plan provides a framework which local government must use to conduct their local public health planning.
The Plan provides a shared direction for public health planning and action to improve the health and wellbeing of South Australian communities. The current Plan was co-developed with partners in public health and informed by population data and key public health trends. Read the full State Public Health Plan.