Health Protection NSW

Health protection involves the prevention and control of threats to health from communicable diseases and the environment. Health protection is achieved through a complex array of activities involving multiple people and agencies. Among the factors that protect a population's health are:

clean drinking water
housing that is safe and not overcrowded
the safe disposal of waste
clean recreational water
safe food
clean air
vaccination
education about safe behaviours including hygiene and safe sex
sterile equipment used for procedures that penetrate the skin
effective medicines for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases
built environments that are conducive to good health

Health Protection NSW works closely with public health units in local health districts in the development, implementation and evaluation activities to protect public health. The Director of Health Protection NSW reports to the Chief Health Officer.