Public health nutrition
Public health nutrition focuses on issues that affect the whole population rather than the specific dietary needs of individuals. The emphasis is on promoting health and disease prevention.
Public health nutrition exists within an extensive infrastructure of government and non-government organisations, service and program delivery systems and the food supply system, covering production through to consumption.
What do Public Health Nutritionists do?
Public Health Nutritionists have skills in program planning, implementation and evaluation, and food and nutrition policy development to help improve the health of populations.
Employment can be permanent or funded short term positions.
Registration as a Public Health Nutritionist
You can become a Registered Public Health Nutritionist with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) if you gain sufficient work experience and develop specialist competencies in public health nutrition.
Areas of employment
- health promotion
- community education and awareness campaigns
- program planning and implementation
- project management
- food regulation
- administration
- counselling and consultation
- research
Job titles/roles
- Public Health Nutritionist
- Child Health Nutritionist
- Nutrition Coordinator
- Project or Program Officer
- Project Manager
- Health Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
Employers
- Public and home health agencies
- Social service agencies
- Community health centres
- Federal, state and local government
- Department of human services
- Day care centres
- Health and recreation clubs
- Health maintenance organisations (HMO's)