The Services, Systems and Society Division combines work in health services/systems research and the social determinants of health. Although these areas are often thought of as quite distinct, there are important synergies to be gained in combining these two approaches.

The work of the Division is highly applied, with an underpinning philosophy of promoting health equity and social justice. This work involves adding value through the analysis of existing data sets or documents, as well as the collection of new data from individuals, groups and organisations.

The Division’s applied research program aims to: improve access to, and use of health and social services that are affordable, effective and efficient; improve the quality and coordination of health and social systems; improve our understanding of how social contexts, social processes, and economic, educational and other opportunities impact on health and wellbeing; and develop and improve information systems to enable monitoring of performance and outcomes and to support evidence-based decision-making. This Division houses the new Chair of Disaster Response and Preparedness, who is building a team of researchers studying local and global implications of this critical issue.