Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the key principles and frameworks that guide health promotion and disease prevention in Australia and internationally. Students will examine concepts and theories that underpin health promotion and the primary care, behavioural and socio-environmental approaches used in this field. Important dimensions of practice, including partnerships, participation, multi-level action, capacity building and evidence-based practice will be explored. The areas of health promotion action that will be examined will encompass policy development for health, creating supportive environments, health education strategies, health communication techniques at the group and population level, and advocacy. The application of these to health challenges in diverse cultural and economic contexts will be explored. By the completion of the Unit, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of health promotion's key concepts, values and methods, and the criteria by which the quality of practice can be judged.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, it is expected that the student will be able to: 1.discuss and critically reflect on principles, concepts and frameworks that underpin health promotion;
2.compare primary care, behavioural, and socio-environmental approaches to health promotion and discuss their strengths and limitations;
3. describe the role of empowerment in health improvement and the scope for community participation in health promotion;
4. identify the attributes of effective partnerships for health promotion;
5.identify the different types of evidence that can guide health and sources of evidence that can assist in strategy selection;
6.critically reflect on the uses of health education, community organisation, communication and social marketing strategies to achieve individual, social, and policy changes;
7.demonstrate an understanding of the contribution of policy development to health promotion;
8.describe the key domains of capacity building and the use of capacity building in health promotion, and;
9.discuss ethical challenges that are presented by health promotion.

Assessment

Class test 10%; research report 30%, in-class presentation 20%; examination 40%. Hurdle requirement: 80% attendance at tutorials.

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Ben Smith

Contact hours

1 hour lecture and 2 hours tutorial per week.

Prerequisites

HSC1081 or HSC1112