PCHC was established in the previous triennium to provide advice to Council on issues in community and public health, as well as prevention of illness.
Functions
PCHC provides evidence-based health advice to Council on a range of matters in community and population health, prevention, and environmental health.
PCHC will consult with the community, health care professionals, and all levels of government in identifying emerging issues and gaps in knowledge, and developing and maintaining standards for the development of health advice.
The functions of PCHC, as gazetted by the Minister on 25 March 2009, are:
- to provide the NHMRC with advice on issues in community and public health, and prevention;
- such other functions as the Minister from time to time determines in writing after consulting the CEO; and
- any other function conferred on the Committee by the NHMRC Act, the regulations or any other law.
Membership
PCHC has a strong public health focus. In addition to members with expertise in public health membership includes persons with backgrounds in Indigenous health; infectious diseases and immunology; and consumer advocacy.
The composition of PCHC is not defined under the NHMRC Act. However, a member of AHEC also sits on PCHC - this is a requirement of the NHMRC Act.
| Professor David Roder AM, Chair |
| Professor Louise Baur |
| Professor Ian Caterson |
| Emeritus Professor Maree Gleeson OAM |
| Professor Mark Harris |
| Professor Lousia Jorm |
| Ms Meagan Lawson |
| Professor Helen Herrman |
| Mr Tony McBride |
| Professor Melanie Wakefield |
| Mr Chris Cliffe |
| Associate Professor Anne Wilson |
| Professor Samar Aoun |
| Professor Wendy Oddy |
| Dr Mark Wenitong |
Current Work Plan
PCHC is currently:
- Developing a National Best Practice Guide for Data Access for Research
- Undertaking the drafting of a National Data Strategy
- Considering a Targeted Call for Research for Obesity to address the 15-35 yr cohort
- Advising on the development of an Information Document on PSA Testing for health and medical practitioners
- Considering an evidence based approach to improve mental well being through positive early parenting
- Being a part of new Steering Groups of the Research Translation Faculty as they develop cases for action to translate research into policy and practice, as well as advise on evidence gaps
- Working with these new Steering Groups of the Research Translation Faculty and the new Partnership Centres to improve the case for prevention on a number of issues, and
- Advising on numerous environmental health issues such as wind farms, fluoridation, water quality, lead and coal seam gas.
Contact PCHC
| Postal address |
PCHC Secretariat NHMRC GPO Box 1421 Canberra ACT 2601 |
| Email address | pchc@nhmrc.gov.au |
| Telephone | (02) 6217 9487 |