At the Department of Health and Aged Care, the work we do shapes health, aged care and sport policy, programs and research in Australia. Our work involves: 

• awareness and education 
• consultation and engagement 
• grants and tenders 
• initiatives and programs 
• administration of legislation 
• policy 
• regulation and compliance 
• research

Our department is led by 7 groups:

• Ageing and Aged Care Group 
• The Ageing and Aged Care Group guides and influences the direction of ageing and aged care, developing policy and implementing programs in collaboration with the sector through co-design. 
• Chief Medical Officer Group
• The Chief Medical Officer Group is made up of the principal medical advisers to the Minister for Health and the department. 
• Corporate Operations Group
• The Corporate Operations Group delivers a broad range of end-to-end ministerial support services, HR, Communication, ICT, Finance, our state network, law, assurance and managing the Budget process for the department. 
• Health Products Regulation Group 
• The Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG/TGA) looks after the regulation of therapeutic goods and certain controlled drugs and drug substances to ensure these products do not put Australians' health and safety at risk.  
• Health Resourcing Group
• The Health Resourcing Group oversees medical benefits, technology assessment and access, the health workforce, benefits integrity, digital health and the national COVID-19 vaccine program.
• Health Strategy, First Nations and Sport 
• The Health Strategy, First Nations and Sport Group oversees strategic policy and relations, health economics and research, sport and First Nations health.
• Primary and Community Care Group
• The Primary and Community Care Group is ​​​​​​​responsible for leading the department’s work on policies and programs relating to mental health, primary care, population health, prevention and cancer, hearing and chronic conditions. 

Project: The Power of Digital Health in Helping Reduce Global Emissions Within the Health and Care Sector

Summary

The functioning of global health systems is seriously threatened by climate change, which can cause widespread health events and interfere with regular system operations. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing such issues may benefit from the usage of digital health. Priorities for lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the Australian health sector are outlined in the National Health and Climate Strategy. The Strategy discusses how Australia's health and welfare are affected by climate change.

The 4 core objectives of the strategy are:

1. Health system resilience: build a climate-resilient health system and enhance its capacity to protect health and wellbeing from the impacts of climate change.

2. Health system decarbonisation: build a sustainable, high quality, net zero health system.

3. International collaboration: collaborate internationally to build sustainable, climate-resilient health systems and communities.

4. Health in all policies: support healthy, climate-resilient and sustainable communities through whole-of-government action which recognises the relationship between health and climate outcomes.

The purpose of this project is to develop a literature review exploring how we can leverage the power of digital health in helping reduce global emissions within the health and care sector. Investigation is to be done around how adoption of digital health solutions can support achievement of or Australian net zero targets and how digital health can support future climate change preparedness. Examples can include targeting low value care to reduce emissions and reducing environmental toll of tools used in medical care including medicines, paper and devices.