This is the third comprehensive report on expenditure on public health services in Australia. Most public health activities are aimed at preventing illness and enhancing the wellbeing and quality of a nation's population. That is, what is spent now on public health services is an investment that should result in fewer demands on health services, and better health for the population as a whole, over time. This report examines expenditure by the Australian Government and each State and Territory Government in nine core public health activities, for the period 2000-01.