We work to understand why some people are healthy and some are not, how to prevent illness and injury, how people's health can be improved through working with communities, how political systems and health organisations affect health, and other issues relating to the health of populations.
Public health research
Our researchers work on many important public health issues, both here in New Zealand and around the world. Follow the links below to learn more about our published research and staff expertise.
Public health teaching
We teach students at all levels of study in all disciplines of public health, including Hauora Māori, health policy, epidemiology, health promotion, health economics, environmental health, and health systems. We offer programmes and courses in Public Health at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Learn more about undergraduate studies in Public Health
Learn more about postgraduate studies in Public Health
Public health action
Our contributions to improving and protecting the health of the population include monitoring the safety of medicines, providing information about poisons, improving the quality of health research, and advocacy for healthy public policy.
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine research groups and units
Latest news
Study shows extent of health inequities
Friday 7 July 2023 4:00pm
HRC grants $51 million to Otago researchers
Tuesday 4 July 2023 9:24am