This program is coordinated by the Public and Environmental Health Officer and is supported by the Anangu Environmental Health Officer. The program is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring public health at both a regional and local community level, and promoting the linkage between good living conditions and low morbidity. A major function is lobbying and seeking funds to improve housing and health hardware.

UPK is now used nationally and internationally as a model for improving environmental health in developing communities. It provides a framework for developments on the APY Lands. The guiding principles for program design include providing a safe physical environment, promoting access to functioning health hardware, and increasing peoples capacity to access health hardware on an affordable ongoing basis. A significant role is working closely with communities to assist them in using their resources for improving the health status of Anangu through environmental health programs.

The UPK program provides a range of advice to the communities on the APY lands in the areas of power generation and supply, housing, waste management and water.

Nine Healthy Living Practices
Nganampa Health's 1987 UPK Report identified nine healthy living practices that is followed, would lead to improved health outcomes.

These nine practices, still form the basis of our Public and Environmental Health program today.

You can read about the nine healthy living practices here.

Dog Health
The UPK program coordinates Vet visits on the APY Lands. Dog population control is an ongoing imperative and malnutrition not surprisingly continues to be a main issue.

The Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has provided funding for this program over many years demonstrating that funding stability does create better program outcomes as Anangu have a sense of ownership and continue to respond well to the program.

The vet generally makes 4 visits to the APY Lands every year. He administers a zoonotic parasitic control, injects a fertility control and euthanases unwanted dogs.

Upcoming vet visits will be advertised on the web site.

Environmental Health Workers
The program employs two teams of Anangu Environmental Health Workers who undertake environmental health activities in the communities on the APY Lands. Their work includes undertaking basic house maintenance, cleaning yards and houses of community, assisting with vet visits and assisting with waste management activities.

Mai Wiru
The UPK program was instumental in establishing the Mai Wiru Regional Stores policy, which led to the establishment of the Mai Wiru Regional Stores Council Aboriginal Corporation. Since this organisation has been established, the range of healthy foods available on the APY Lands has improved with weekly direct deliveries from Adelaide.

Store Nutrition Report May 2019
Download Report Here