| Establishment of School of Public Health and Primary Care | |
| The School of Public Health and Primary Care was established on 1 August 2009 to replace the School of Public Health and the Department of Community and Family Medicine, with the mission of improving the health of the population locally, nationally and internationally. The inclusion of primary care reflects the importance placed internationally on developing primary care as the basis for health service delivery and the School of Public Health and Primary Care will focus on developing research and teaching not only in Hong Kong but also mainland and in the region. Professor Sian Griffiths, director of the school, says, 'Our school is the first institution in Hong Kong to provide comprehensive education, training, consultation, and research in public health and primary care. Similar to other developed countries, Hong Kong is sustainability facing many short term problems in managing the H1N1, pandemic as well as longer public health challenges, such as obesity, diabetes, environmental and food safety. To prepare a competent public health workforce in response to such global public health demands, we are expanding the opportunities to study public health by extending from postgraduate to undergraduate levels. Our School has launched the new Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSc in Public Health) programmme in the academic year of 2009/10 which is its first kind in undergraduate public health programmes in Hong Kong and will equip students from all disciplines with knowledge and skills in public health.' Based on the definition of public health as the science and art of promoting health and preventing disease through the organised efforts of individuals and society, School of Public Health and Primary Care has also reshaped its postgraduate programmes. Professor Griffiths says, 'We will offer all students grounding in professionally recognised competencies and in areas increasingly recognised as core to public health. We are also able to offer courses in areas of special interest, including epidemiology, environmental health, health promotion, global health and health management.' The school will continue to work closely in collaboration with partners from all relevant disciplines and institutions. Professor Griffiths says, 'We hope this change will create opportunities for cultivating more public health and primary care professionals who will make a difference in the health of populations.' |
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