About our population health services
We work to promote and protect the health of people who live within the Western Sydney LHD. We design and deliver programs that focus on health promotion, prevention and protection. Our goal is to improve health outcomes, create healthy environments and reduce avoidable hospital visits.
Our workforce includes people with skills and experience in public health, health promotion, health equity, epidemiology, applied research, program design and evaluation, social marketing, communications, community engagement and capacity building.
Our work is guided by evidence and shaped by NSW and Commonwealth priorities, the District's Strategic Plan, and local data and community needs.
People who live, work, learn, play and age in Western Sydney are healthy and well.
Population health looks at the factors that influence the health of whole communities, not just individuals.
Social determinants of health
Our health is strongly shaped by the conditions in which we are born, grow, work, live and age. These are known as the social determinants of health. They include:
- education
- employment and income
- housing and the justice system
- social connection and experiences of discrimination.
While access to healthcare is important, social determinants can account for up to 55% of health outcomes.
Environmental determinants
Environmental determinants are the surroundings and conditions that affect our health. These include:
- climate and weather
- the quality of our housing
- access to green space
- how easy it is to walk, cycle or travel
- the design of our neighbourhoods and the food available within them.
Cultural determinants
Culture plays a key role in shaping health and wellbeing. Cultural determinants are especially important for Aboriginal peoples and for communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We acknowledge the strengths, resilience and cultural knowledge of our diverse communities.
We aim to improve the health of all people living in Western Sydney LHD across their lives. We do this by:
- working with partners to support and empower people to stay healthy, prevent health issues and respond early when problems arise
- helping to make the places where people live, learn and work healthier, so we can improve health outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.
We focus on the health of whole groups of people. This helps us identify differences in health across our communities and work to make these gaps smaller, so everyone has a fair chance to be healthy.
We keep communities well through 3 key areas of work:
Prevention
We work to prevent diseases that can spread, such as measles, and diseases linked to lifestyle factors, such as poor nutrition or low physical activity.
Protection
We help protect communities from infectious diseases and environmental hazards that can cause illness.
Promotion
We promote programs, projects and partnerships that strengthen health, safety, wellbeing and community resilience.
Key services
- Aboriginal health
- Infectious diseases
- Healthy eating and active living
- Immunisation
- Smoking and vaping prevention and tools for health professionals
Improving the health of everybody
- Adults
- Health professionals
- Mental health services
- Older adults
- Pregnancy and early years
- School age
Healthy neighbourhoods and communities
- Aged care facilities
- Business and industry
- Climate change and heat health
- Disability care facilities
- Education settings
- Environmental health
- Keeping homes healthy
- Public health regulations
- Shaping healthy places and spaces
Healthy housing
Good quality housing is fundamental to positive health and wellbeing. Access to diverse, affordable, well built and maintained housing supports our physical and mental health.
Healthy higher density living
The population of Western Sydney is growing rapidly. The way we live is changing, with more people living in higher density housing than ever. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, high density housing is defined as any dwelling that is 3 more storeys high.
In the right location, with good design and amenities, well designed higher density living can support and improve health outcomes. Learn more about making great places, density done well on the Committee for Sydney website.
Our advocacy, planning and design guide
In partnership with the City of Parramatta, our health promotion team is exploring the health impacts of living in high density housing, with a focus on families with young children.
With more families raising children in apartments, designing liveable high-density apartments, buildings and neighbourhoods that address their needs is important.
We conducted research to better understand the experiences of families living in the high density in the City of Parramatta.
The research findings along with other studies and community consultations informed the development of the Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children: An Advocacy, Planning and Design Guide (PDF 11.77MB).
The Guide was developed in collaboration with City of Parramatta, Cities for Play and our Centre for Population Health team.
Publications and resources
Contact us
If you’d like to explore partnership opportunities, share ideas, or provide feedback to help improve health outcomes in Western Sydney, get in touch.
Centre for Population Health
- Address:
Gungurra, Building 68, Cumberland Hospital Campus
Fleet Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151 - Postal address:
Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta BC NSW 2124 - Phone: (02) 9840 3603
- Fax: (02) 9840 3608
- Email: WSLHD-CentreForPopulationHealth@health.nsw.gov.au
- Hours of service: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Related information
- The Pulse: Health alerts
- Aboriginal health services in Western Sydney
- Allied health in Western Sydney
- Infectious disease in Western Sydney
- Mental health community services in Western Sydney
- Sexual health services in Western Sydney
- Tobacco and smoking control in NSW
- NSW Health | Centre for Population Health