Coordinator Events & Professional Development
Mohana Baptista, Lead Epidemiologist, South East Public Health Unit, Monash Health
I am passionate about public health. I firmly believe that health is a fundamental human right, and I am committed to protecting and promoting the right to health for everyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, ethnicity, age or ability. I have lived experience of the influence of social determinants on health outcomes, and the difference that public health programs can make to our communities.
Although these inequities are less visible in Australia and Victoria, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many structural inequities. Our most marginalised communities have been disproportionately represented and impacted, including the less visible but very serious mental health issues.
The newly setup distributed public health network in Victoria provides an opportunity for us to deliver a sustainable, localised and equitable public health response using the framework, key priority areas and strategic actions set out in the Victorian public health and wellbeing plan and a range of other related Victorian legislation and policy documents.
As the lead epidemiologist for one of the three metropolitan local public health units, I believe that it is imperative to measure outcomes through an agile and responsive surveillance and intelligence system, so that we can continue to deliver positive outcomes for the Victorian community.
