The principal focus of the work is on the application of HIA to policies, strategies, projects and programs that are likely to have an impact on health, wellbeing and inequalities.
Deakin is also advocating the application of HIA through research, consulting and publishing materials on the most effective ways to ensure that public health can be improved. The unit is concerned with improving health status and making health an important consideration in decision making. It is working, at a range of levels, to increase awareness of the added value that HIA can provide.

Research undertaken in 2001 by a Deakin University School of Health Sciences team, now the School of Health and Social Development, in collaboration with Parks Victoria and its Strategic Partners, and the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, indicated that contact with nature may be an important factor in human health and wellbeing. The Deakin-based team has since begun work on an exciting range of research and intervention projects.

Jigsaw is the School of Health and Social Development's support group for Higher Degree by Research candidates. A student led initiative, Jigsaw has been designed for the specific needs of the HDR candidates in the School. Jigsaw aims to promote and celebrate postgraduate students, encourage future students, provide feedback to industry and partners as well as showcase postgraduate research work at Deakin University .

Health Promotion at Deakin is guided by concerns about how to create healthy, equitable and sustainable environments and communities. Approaches to health promotion are therefore, guided by understandings about the impact of the determinants of health on the health of populations, communities and individuals.

Social inclusion of people with a disability and other disadvantaged people has been the overall focus of research conducted by staff within the disability studies unit for several years now. Within this broad ideological framework, there are two areas of research with solid track records over that period in winning grants, producing publications, and producing higher degree by research graduates.

The formal partnership between Deakin University and the Department of Human Services (Barwon - South Western Region) was established in 1998 and represents a unique and innovative partnership which is committed to protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of regional and rural Victorians.

The partnership between Deakin University and the Department of Human Services Human Services (Eastern Metropolitan Region) was launched November, 2003 to work together to enhance the health and social wellbeing of all people who live in the region, especially vulnerable people.

Public health related research is carried out in a number of research clusters, within the Health and Wellbeing Research Priority Area.

1. Promoting Social Justice and Equity

2. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research

3. Public Health Research, Evaluation and Policy

4. Mental Health and Wellbeing

Professor Rob Carter heads the Health Economics Unit which has three integrated research groups within it: Health Economics of Obesity Group; an ACE Prevention and Priority Setting Group; and an Assessing Cost Effectiveness Analysis Group. 

• The Health Economics of Obesity Group undertakes research on the costs and cost-effectiveness of obesity interventions, as well as quality of life in obesity.  Senior Research Fellows Marj Moodie and Lisa Gold, together with Research Fellow Catherine Keating, work predominantly in this group. 
• The ACE Prevention and Priority Setting Group is engaged in major NHMRC-funded research projects Assessing the Cost Effectiveness ('ACE') of 150 prevention interventions (including ACE obesity interventions) as part of priority-setting research.  The Senior Research Fellows in this group are Cathy Mihalopoulos, Sandra Younie and Liliana Bulfone, working with Research Fellows Sophy Shih and KiuSiang Tay-Teo.
• The Cost Effectiveness Analysis Group undertakes cost of illness and cost-effectiveness research across a variety of health conditions and risk factors. The Senior Research Fellows in this group are Marj Moodie, Anne Magnus and Lisa Gold, working with Steve Colgan and KiuSiang Tay-Teo.   Marj Moodie also works in health economics research surrounding stroke, cystic fybrosis, diabetes and smoking. 

As a part of its role at Deakin, the new Health Economics Group will integrate research and teaching programs in the School