HSC5002 - Health promotion: A determinants approach

Leader(s): Professor Helen Keleher

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides opportunities to examine the impact of multiple factors and conditions that contribute to the health of Australia's population, known collectively as the social determinants of health. Students will examine the intended and unintended effects of health promotion and its capacity to influence the determinants of health particularly on reducing disparities and inequities experienced be identifiable groups or categories of people within populations.

Objectives

1. Define health promotion for differing perspectives and explain the principles that underpin contemporary health promotion,
2. Describe and discuss a range of theories for promoting health and how they are used in health promotion programs,
3. Discuss the social determinants of health and their relationship to economic and environmental determinants of health,
4. Demonstrate understanding of the differences between, the social-determinants of health and the social determinants of inequity,
5. Discuss frameworks for illustrating the levels of influence of the social determinants of health,
6. Critically reflect on the concepts of social equity, health disparities, social justice, citizenship and the ethical project of health promotion,
7. Critically analyse competing approaches to health promotion and their approaches to creating health and equitable communities and societies, and the challenges in taking action on the social determinants of health,
8. Explore intersectoral strategies for integrating health promotion into sectors beyond health.

Assessment

Review of literature (20%)
Case Study (20%)
Essay - Critical analysis (60%)