Public health is the study of factors that determine population-level health, and the measures taken to improve the well-being of society as a whole. Its aims are to improve the social and environmental determinants that influence health. In this major you will learn how health policy is developed, and how health promotion is conducted in local and global settings. The major is suitable for those interested in an interdisciplinary view of health and an integrated awareness of the determinants, distribution and consequences of health in society. The growth of the health and community services sectors reflects greater focus on support for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the community, including those with a disability and an ageing population. The workforce has become progressively more qualified, and the Public Health: Policy and Promotion major equips you with the skills and knowledge to work in this exciting and rapidly expanding sector. Second majors You can study the Public Health: Policy and promotion as a qualifying major in the Bachelor of Human Sciences, and select a second major from across the University. For careers in the health industry you might, for example, combine the Public Health: Policy and Promotion major with one of the following majors: Community Services Communication Disorders Counselling Theory and Principles Language and Professioanl Communication Early Childhood Alternatively, you may decide to focus on the Public Health: Policy and promotion major and select elective units to complement your program of studies.

Key Features

• This major provides a set of core units that look at contemporary health issues, policy and promotion from a range of perspectives including sociology, psychology, social marketing and communications.
• You will gain skills to work in health education, public health and health promotion.
• You will also participate in PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) - a program unique to Macquarie that takes you out of the lecture theatre and gives you the chance to gain relevant health-related workplace experience in a professional or community setting. This allows you to integrate your learning with practical experience.

• A major challenge for government is the effective and efficient delivery of health, ageing and human servcies and the formulation of relevant policy and strategies. These challenges extend beyond government to include not-for-profit and private sector service providers.
• Over the next 5 years the health and social assistance industry is expected to grow by over 18% with over 250,000 new jobs created in this sector. (Source: Australian Government, Department of Employment, Australian Jobs 2015)
• Career opportunities
• Health education
• Health promotion
• Research and policy development
• Project management
• Public health
• Health and community administration
• Advocacy and non-government organisations
• International health and development