1. Core Public Health Principle: Population Focus
- Public Health is concerned with protecting and improving the health of entire populations, not just individuals. In Fiji, this means addressing the health needs of diverse groups across islands and communities, especially where access to individual care may be limited.
2. Evidence-Based Planning and Policy
- Population data (e.g. disease trends, birth rates) helps guide health policies and programs. In Fiji, this supports planning for outbreaks (like dengue or COVID-19), maternal care, and vaccination campaigns that reach the greatest number of people.
- By focusing on populations, public health aims to reduce health disparities. In Fiji, this helps ensure remote and vulnerable groups—like those in outer islands or informal settlements—receive fair access to health services.
- Population-based health data is used to track progress and improve programs. For example, Fiji’s health systems use such data to evaluate child immunization coveraIge or monitor non-communicable disease trends.
- Public health in Fiji prioritizes preventing diseases across populations, such as reducing obesity, smoking, and diabetes rates through community-wide education, school programs, and policy changes rather than treating individuals after illness occurs.