This course will enable you to develop an understanding of the theory, principles and practice of public health internationally and in the United Kingdom. It will give you the opportunity to understand the sources of information to measure health and disease, and apply appropriate health protection, health promotion and disease prevention strategies in order to improve public health.
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching period
A
Semester 1 2024-25
Module aims
To introduce students to the scientific, ethical and historical foundations of public health.
To encourage students to develop skills in the critical evaluation of the evidence required for effective public health interventions.
To introduce students to current models of public health practice.
To encourage students to think both locally and globally around the key challenges to public health.
Module learning outcomes
Critically discuss the historical and contemporary aspects of public health.
Critically evaluate public health systems at national and international levels.
Articulate a broad overview of contemporary public health practice and evaluate measures of success.
Clearly present an in-depth knowledge and critical thinking about public health
Module content
Public health: Introduction to the module and assessment
Historical and contemporary public health perspectives
Demography and data
Measuring life and health, from data to intelligence
Health improvement, psychology and behavioural change
Public health needs assessment and methods
Public health economics and sustainability
Question and answer session and preparation for the summative assessment
Field epidemiology and outbreak scenario 1
Field epidemiology and outbreak scenario 2
Leadership and management for public health
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
50
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
50
Module feedback
Feedback for formative assessment will be both oral and via structured assessment sheets.
Written feedback for summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.
Indicative reading
Books
Schneider, M.J., 2020. Introduction to public health. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Donaldson, L.J. and Rutter, P.D., 2017. Donaldsons' essential public health. CRC Press.
Guest, C., Ricciardi, W., Kawachi, I. and Lang, I. eds., 2013. Oxford handbook of public health practice. OUP Oxford.
Lewis, G., Sheringham, J., Bernal, J.L. and Crayford, T., 2014. Mastering Public Health: A postgraduate guide to examinations and revalidation. CRC Press.
Berridge, V., 2011. Public health in history. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).