School of Population and Global Health
Protecting and improving health
Population (or public) health is the art and science of protecting and improving the health of communities, using an evidence-based approach through research, advocacy and health promotion. It plays an important role in health and wellbeing, as well as improving the social and environmental conditions and behaviours that affect us.
At The University of Western Australia, the School of Population and Global Health is a leading research, teaching and service organisation whose work influences health policies and practices.
With a commitment to achieving excellence in teaching and research training, our courses are flexible and industry relevant, giving students the knowledge and skills to address pressing and emerging health issues.
The School is guided by an Advisory Board that includes high profile and influential members from both government and non-government organisations and provides high level external review and advice on the relevance and direction of major teaching, research, research translation and community engagement programs for the School.
Population Health is all around us: the water we drink, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the immunisations we receive and the environment in which we live. Professor Colleen Fisher, Head of School
Our Courses
- Micro-credentials
- Undergraduate minors in Public Health
- Undergraduate major in Public Health
- Graduate Certificates
- Masters by Coursework Research Projects
- Master of Public Health
- Higher Degrees by Research
- Seasonal School
- Scholarly Activity
- Tsuha Global Fellows Program
Hear from our students
Name and country/mob?
My name is Joseph Bin Omar and I belong to the Bard and Nimanburr peoples in Broome.
Why did you decide to study public health?
I’ve always had a keen interest in health, whether that was typically as an active kid with sport and nutrition or more so, being curious in wanting to understand why my people were disproportionately represented in health outcomes compared to the wider Australian population. Growing up, unfortunately I would say I encountered many challenges as an Aboriginal boy from Broome. Disadvantaged health status of Aboriginal people being a leading factor. I used this experience and gap in my life as a reason why and motivation to learn more in the areas of public health, and that’s how I’ve wound up where I am. I want to be able to help impact health across the communities, stretching that public health domain and to be able to apply cultural learnings into public health systems.
Why did you choose to study at UWA?
Thanks to the School of Indigenous Studies (SIS) and the outreach programs provided to Indigenous high school kids, I was able to attend a few camps at a young age to gauge exposure into university life, UWA and what was potentially possible. I felt from this experience with SIS, the connections/contacts made with staff and other students throughout my schooling made me comfortable in wanting to study at UWA given the support centre for Indigenous students.
How do you want to make an impact on the world, your community, or next generation?
I want to impact the world through the small things in life, by having genuine and honest conversations and taking the time to ensure another person can be heard. I hope one day I become someone others feel inspired and empowered by, and I want to always be a positive representative of my community back home but also be someone the next generation can connect with and learn from.
Research initiatives
Our Population and Global Health research sets the foundation for high-impact initiatives, solving the challenges of the modern world.
The Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas is a comprehensive and freely accessible national data resource, providing valuable geographical insights into child health and wellbeing indicators.
Led by University of Western Australia’s School of Population and Global Health in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology, this project represents a dynamic and collaborative initiative that brings together experts from various fields within child health research, advocacy, policy, community and practice across Australia.
An affiliated project is the WA Child Development Atlas, which maps health and development indicators for children and young people in Western Australia at a small area level. This project receives funding from the Ian Potter Foundation and the Minderoo Foundation.
- WA Child Development Atlas (Login required)
Contact us:
Contact our staff
UWA Adjunct and Clinical Title Holders
Adjunct appointments provide a mechanism for The University of Western Australia to recognise suitably qualified and experienced individuals who make a significant contribution to the academic activities of their Schools.
There are two categories of adjunct – those who are actively engaged in clinical practice (Clinical titles) and those who are non-clinical (Adjunct titles). For any queries, please contact schoolops-nedlands@uwa.edu.au
News
Funding puts road and shared path safety on track
UWA researchers have received $900K in federal funding to improve shared path safety through video and community data, and study visual field loss and crash risk.
Read moreGrants target medical research and innovation
Twenty-five early and mid-career researchers from UWA have received State Government funding to help make innovative discoveries that improve health and medical outcomes.
Read moreWater programs failing the test of time
Water, sanitation and hygiene programs are failing to deliver sustainable outcomes, according to an international study.
Read moreContact
Location
Corner Clifton St and Stirling Hwy (Entrance off Clifton Street), Nedlands WA
