Foundations of Public Health

Foundations of Public Health

Unit code: HMG7100

Credit points: 12 

This unit is designed to introduce students to the main theories, principles and values of public health illustrated by selected major topics from a global perspective. It investigates policy, systematic and multi-discipline public health approaches as a global and local effort to address contemporary health challenges. The origins and evolution of public health and major global achievements in public health and their impact on health of populations are explored. The role and interface of political, cultural, social, behavioural and environmental determinants of health of populations informs critique and discussion throughout the unit. 

Learning outcomes

 

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically appraise local, national and global health disparities, identify their determinants and propose strategies to address them based on a contemporary evidence-base; 
  2. Critically analyse the philosophical underpinnings of public health and evaluate how these both differ from, and inform, contemporary approaches; 
  3. Conceptually map and interrogate theories and frameworks used in developing and evaluating health practices in the global arena; 
  4. Prescribe and apply multi-discipline public health approaches to review evidence and produce practice recommendations; 
  5. Debate global threats to, and opportunities for, public health and well-being in various real-world contexts and what-if scenarios; and 
  6. Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity. 

 

Assessment

 

Essay : Deconstruction and application of philosophical underpinnings of public health action (500 words)  - 10% 

Report : Critical analysis on policies addressing social determinants of health (2500 words)  - 50% 

Assignment : Policy Brief on a course of action (2000 words)  - 40% 

 

Related course/s

 

This unit is studied as part of the online Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate in Public Health.