NUTRITION IN AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Nutrition in Australian Public Health System

Nutrition in Australian Public Health System

Introduction

Public health nutrition is important, as it deals with the health and diet-related behavior of individuals, groups, and community. There is a need to implement strategies in a community, which can help in bringing a change in community about nutritional health (Stanfield, 2009, pp. 150).

Discussion

Public Health Nutrition Public health nutrition is a field of science that focuses on issues that influence the whole community rather than the specific dietary habits of an individual (Hughes, 2011, p. 9). The emphasis of public health nutrition is on promoting health and preventing diseases in a community. Public health nutrition is associated with government and non-government organisations, their services, and programs about food related issues and community health (Kaufman, 2007, 2007 pp. 38).

Role of Public Health Nutritionists Public Health Nutritionists play a role in planning and implementing nutrition policy to help improve the health of community (Nnakwe, 2009, pp. 96). In Australia, there are many government and private organisations are working for public health such as:

Nutrition Society of Australia

Nutrition Australia

The Dietitians Association of Australia (Willis, Reynold, & Helen, 2008, pp. 223).

Nutrition Society of Australia

The Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) helps to protect the public by distinguishing individuals who have received training and experience in this field. These Nutritionists then

implement population health interventions to improve the health of individuals, communities and the population. It awards Graduate Certificates, Masters degree or PhD in nutrition. In Australia, there is no Medicare health fund rebate for Nutritionists' clients (Willis, Reynold, & Helen, 2008, pp. 223).

Dietitians Association of Australia

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) provides credentials to qualified practitioners as 'Accredited Nutritionist' (AN). They provide advice on dietary treatments for many diseases such as diabetes, food allergies, gastro-intestinal diseases, and obesity. They work in private practice and in hospitals, government, research, public health and the food nutrition industries. This program is recognised by the Australian Government and Medicare (Willis, Reynold, & Helen, 2008, pp. 223).

Overview of Therapy and Its Importance to Public Health

Our nutritional health therapy is organised to increase awareness of individuals about health and nutrition. The individual nutritionist works in community for the improving the diet-related behavior of the community. We would like to initiate a program that would focus on individuals as well as groups and community. It would be done in community clinics, by qualified ...