About this pathway

The Public Health Pathway provides specialist public health education and training in public health aspects of sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Sexual and reproductive health is cornerstone to a healthy society. It is fundamental to population health and sustainable development. This has been acknowledged at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994. While there have been many gains since the Cairo Summit, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that women and girls enjoy the full respect of their fundamental rights, including their right to bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and in eliminating sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices - two objectives that must be fulfilled to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030.

Public health principles provide a foundation and a roadmap for meeting the sexual and reproductive health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Public Health pathway is focused on epidemiological, societal and population aspects of sexual and reproductive health, with a specific emphasis on evidence-based approaches, policies and programs to improve sexual and reproductive health of the population, access to services and comprehensive sexuality education. Our units also discuss surveillance strategies, policy and program development, and legislative responses with regards to their potential public health consequences as to sexual and reproductive health. Emphasis is placed on the delivery of effective education, prevention and management strategies.

The Pathway is aimed at health professionals, health policy makers, public health practitioners, educators and researchers wishing to gain an in-depth knowledge and public health and develop competencies in the fields of HIV, STIs, and sexual and reproductive public health and sexual wellbeing. It is suited for those who work (or plan working) on improving sexual and reproductive health in many different settings (health-care, policy development, service management, health promotion and education, community programs or research) and regardless of their clinical or non-clinical background. The Pathway provides a solid background to understanding of the key issues, aims and evidence-based approaches to improving sexual and reproductive health of different population groups, including key, vulnerable and marginalised populations. It prepares graduates to working with these groups in achieving better sexual and reproductive health outcomes for all.

Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health

The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health provides a diverse and inter-professional curriculum suitable for Australian and international students interested in the range of disciplines related to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Sexual and Reproductive Health.  The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health is designed to provide the maximum professional relevance, flexibility and choice

Who is this Pathway suitable for?

This Pathway is suitable for health professionals including health policy makers and public practitioners, educators and researchers who wish to gain specialist knowledge in sexual and reproductive public health. It is also suitable for recent graduates from medical science, social science, medicine, public health or other health disciplines interested in pursuing a career in the public health aspects of HIV, STIs, sexual and reproductive health.

Pathway outcomes

Graduates will have opportunities to:

• Develop high levels of knowledge on the issues of public health importance in the fields of sexual and reproductive health including HIV and STIs, fertility and reproductive health and sexual wellbeing.
• Gain public health competencies in dealing with sexual and reproductive health issues of different population groups, including 1) the understanding of the contexts, epidemiological background, determinants of sexual and reproductive health outcomes and other individual and environmental factors of importance, and 2) being able to contribute to the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based approaches and strategies in prevention and management of of different Sexual and Reproductive Health issues;
• Learn to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams on the practical challenges faced by professionals working in these areas;
• Acquire skills recognised as essential components of the professional training in public health aspects of sexual and reproductive health; and
• Learn to critically evaluate relevant evidence and contribute to the growing body of evidence-based, effective interventions.

Interested, eligible and persistent students will also have an opportunity to advance their research skills by undertaking further studies in Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy specialising in Sexual and Reproductive Health.