Public Health module (GM51012)

Learn about the history, development, and importance of public health issues in a local, national, and global context

Credits

20

Module code

GM51012

Public Health is about helping people live healthier lives. It’s also about improving the conditions and environments that we live in.

Public Health activities include:

  • disease prevention and control
  • health promotion
  • epidemiology
  • community engagement
  • health policy
  • advocacy.

'The Determinants of Health' are a combination of factors that influence health. These include our social, economic, and physical environments. They also include politics, religion, cultural differences, education, and more.

What you will learn

In this module, you will learn about:

  • the history, development, and importance of Public Health in our societies
  • public health issues in a local, national, and global context
  • how factors like politics, culture and the environment can impact on health outcomes
  • techniques and strategies for addressing public health issues
  • multi-disciplinary approaches to disease prevention and health improvements
  • core global public health issues and major public health challenges.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • explain the factors that impact population health
  • assess the strategies used in public health to prevent disease and improve health
  • understand and work with data on disease rates, risk factors, illness, death, and social inequality
  • explore how different factors affect disease rates, health risks, illness, and death
  • discuss the global challenges associated with poor health and the initiatives needed to address them.

Assignments / assessment

  • essay 2,500 words (60%)
  • online discussion (30%)
  • class engagement (attendance and contribution to group activities) (10%)

Teaching methods / timetable

  • lectures (online and in-person)
  • workshops and tutorials
  • talks by invited speakers

Courses

This module is available on following courses: