MidCentral District Health Board

MDHB News

Public Health works to improve the health of communities and to reduce inequalities in health status. The focus is around the social and physical environments in which we live as well as on programmes to develop more healthy activities.

Public Health Services Documents

2007-2015 Public Health Services Strategic Plan

Public Health: Alcohol & Other Drugs

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service carry out regulatory and promotional activities aiming to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm in the community.
Public Health: Cervical Screening

Cervical Screening is important for women as it is the best protection against developing cervical cancer. MidCentral Health's Public Health Service promotes cervical screening and increased awareness of the national screening program to women in its Horowhenua, Manawatu and Tararua region.
Public Health: Child & Youth Health Services

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service provides a range of health services within the early childhood, primary and secondary education sector. These are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner across our region – Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua.
Public Health: Emergency Management & Response

In preparation for civil defence or other emergencies MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service develops plans and procedures to reduce the impact on public health. These plans are developed for both MidCentral's region (Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the good health Wanganui region.
Public Health: Environmental Health

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service acts to protect peoples health and wellbeing from environmental hazards and risks. Working with the public and other agencies it promotes health and provides information about, identifies, assesses and monitors environmental risks and issues. It also plans for, responds to and assists in the management of hazards and emergencies where public health is at risk.
These activities are carried out in both MidCentral’s region (Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the Good Health Wanganui region.
Public Health: Food Safety & Quality

To ensure that food is safe MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service carries out regulatory, promotional and investigative activities in both MidCentral’s region (Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the Good Health Wanganui region. These activities are carried out in both MidCentral's region (palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the Good Health Wanganui region.
Public Health: Health Resources & Publications

Our Public Health Information Centre has Health Education resources and teaching aids available on a wide range of topics. It is situated in "Health on Main" 575 Main Street, Palmerston North
Public Health: Healthy Communities

The health sector in isolation has a limited ability to improve public health. MidCentral Health, Public Health Service strives to influence factors in the external environment which can impact on community and individual health.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Every year in New Zealand about 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 die from it. It's caused by a common virus called human papillomavirus (HPV) that is spread through sexual contact.
Public Health: Immunisation

A key objective of the Ministry of Health’s National Immunisation Programme is improving health by reducing vaccine-preventable diseases such as hepatitis B, measles and influenza.
Public Health: Infectious Diseases

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service provides a service to prevent, investigate, control and manage notified infectious diseases in our region.
Public Health: Injury Prevention

Public Health’s task in Injury-Prevention is to work collaboratively with other government agencies and community organisations to help make our MidCentral DHB Region a safer place.
Public Health: Māori Health

Māori make up 15.3% of the population of the MidCentral District Health Board area and MidCentral Health, Public Health Serviceis committed to improving Māori health outcomes.
Public Health: Mental Health Promotion

“Mental Health Promotion is the process of enhancing the capacity of individuals and communities to take control of their lives and improve their mental health.” MidCentral Public Health Service works with other groups and agencies in the community to promote mental wellness.
Public Health: Nutrition & Physical Activity

Public Health’s task in Nutrition and Physical Activity is to work collaboratively with other government agencies and community organisations to improve health and well being and to reduce the burden of disease through better nutrition and regular physical activity.
Public Health: Pacific Health

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service works collaboratively with the community and other organisations to improve the health of Pacific communities inthe region.
Public Health Maps & Directions

Public Health Services are based at Palmerston North Hospital and Wanganui.
Public Health: Sexual Health Services

Sexual Health Services are a service of MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service. We provide both Health Promotion services and individual clinical services to enhance sexual health in Horowhenua, Tararua, Manawatu and Palmerston North.
Public Health: Smoke-Free

To reduce the health impact of smoking on the community MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service has staff working in Smokefree Health Promotion, enforcement of the Smokefree Environments Act and assisting people to quit smoking.

Public Health has been defined as:
“The science and art of promoting health, preventing disease and prolonging life through organised efforts of society”. Definition of Public Health

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Services provide services to improve the health of communities in the Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua. Its Health Protection Services are also delivered in Wanganui, Rangitikei and Southern Ruapehu Districts.

Public health services are mainly population based health promotion and health protection activities concerned with groups or populations (eg children; elderly; parents; cyclists; consumer) rather than individuals. However some work is clinical or assisting with individual’s health issues.

What does the Public Health Service do?

Promote health by supporting community action, healthy environments, healthy public policy and the development of individuals skills. This enables people to make personal choices about their health and well-being.
Monitor and enforce legislation to promote and protect healthy environments.
Undertake Health Surveillance and Communicable Disease control.
Work with communities, individuals, local government, schools and other agencies to provide health advice and information.
Work to strengthen partnerships with Māori and to provide culurally appropriate services.

Who is the Public Health Service?

Community Health Workers, Health Promotion Advisors, Health Protection Officers, Maori Health Advisor, Medical Officers of Health, Medical Officers, Public Health Nurses, Specialist Nurses, Vision and Hearing Technicians, Quit Smoking Coaches, Sexual Health Clinicians, Register Management and Support personnel make up the Public health Services' staff.

Public Health Services work in a number of different health areas.

Click on the titles below for further information on these services.

Where is the Public Health Service?

Services are delivered from a number of geographical and physical locations. These are detailed under that specific activity but a number of our staff are based at the Public Health Unit, in Rata House in the Community Health Village at Palmerston North Hospital.

Wanganui Office

The Public Health Service has a Wanganui office which handles Public Health regulatory issues like Food Safety, Environmental Health and Liquor Licensing in the Wanganui region. it is located in the Public Health Centre on the 2nd floor of the Lambie Hostel, Wanganui Hospital.

Contact us: