title: Core Public Health Functions for New Zealand.
abstract: This special article defines the public health principles and core public health functions that are combined to produce the public health services essential for a highly-functioning New Zealand health system. The five core functions are: health assessment and surveillance; public health capacity development; health promotion; health protection; and preventive interventions. The core functions are interconnected and are rarely delivered individually. Public health services are not static, but evolve in response to changing needs, priorities, evidence and organisational structures. The core functions describe the different ways public health contributes to health outcomes in New Zealand and provide a framework for ensuring services are comprehensive and robust.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Director, Community and Public Health, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch. daniel.williams@cdhb.health.nz.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Group Manager, Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Population Health,Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Garbutt
authors.affiliation: Professional & Clinical Director, Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Auckland.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011634:Public Health