Public Health

This page provides an access point to public health related information on the Victorian Government Health Information website. The information accessed through this page is principally directed at those working in the health industry or associated with activities impacting upon public health.

What's New

Community recovery after the February 2009 Victorian bushfires: a rapid review
The Public Health Branch commissioned a rapid review of research on: What are the potential strategies that could be employed by government to facilitate and mobilise the social participation and inclusion, social capital, economic resources and resilience of communities to enable them to recover from the 2009 Victorian bushfires?

The review undertaken by Professor Penny Hawe identifies and discusses: the expected impact of the fires on health; what works in community recovery; community-based recovery strategies; the role of government and further research.

Community recovery after the February 2009 Victorian bushfires: a rapid review (375kb, pdf)

Food safety law reform in Victoria
The Food Amendment (Regulation Reform) Act 2009 will amend the Food Act 1984 to give Victoria a better system for regulating the safety of food sold for human consumption. The amendments are intended to reduce the compliance costs for businesses (including community groups that sell food) by allowing regulation to be better matched to the level of food safety risk.

Bushfire help available now
The horrific bushfires across Victoria have devastated the lives of many Victorians. Help for people affected by the bushfires is available if needed. For personal, emotional and financial support visit the Department of Human Services website or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Primary prevention of chronic disease in Australia through interventions in the workplace setting: a rapid review
Commissioned by the Department of Human Services to determine what types of primary prevention programs in the workplace are most likely to be effective in preventing chronic disease.

Avoidable mortality in Victoria: Trends between 1997 and 2003
The Avoidable mortality in Victoria: Trends between 1997 and 2003 report is the first comprehensive analysis of avoidable deaths in Victoria. Findings include the fact that cardiovascular disease and cancers were responsible for more than half of the potentially avoidable deaths between 1997 and 2003.

Victorian Population Health Survey 2007
The Victorian Population Health Survey 2007 provides the latest snapshot of health and lifestyle behaviours, including how the state rates on physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, obesity, asthma and diabetes prevalence.

Future prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents, 2005-2025
Includes predicted body mass index (BMI) in children and adults, prevalence of overweight and/or obesity and the absolute number of Australians and Victorians overweight and/or obese in 2005, 2015 and 2025.

Victorian Environmental Health Indicator Project (VEHIP)