Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit provides foundation knowledge in public health that begins with its historical underpinnings and leads to examination of the principles, practices and values of contemporary public health. Case studies will be used to illustrate the importance of intersectoral, interdisciplinary, systems thinking for the success of public health programs and policy. You will learn to critically analyse the determinants and burdens of disparate rates of illness and disease from the perspectives of health inequalities and vulnerable populations to understand public health priorities, and the core roles and functions of public health systems and programs. While the focus of this unit is on Australia, the learnings from this unit can be applied to public health issues and systems in any country.

Objectives

1. discuss the principles underpinning public health and examine public health values from different paradigms;
2. describe the history and evolution of public health and discuss how they have impacted on the health of the populations;
3. discuss a range of behavioural, social and cultural, environmental and political determinants that create health and cause ill-health and inequalities;
4. identify a range of public health interventions and appraise their strengths and limitations;
5. understand the critical relationship between human rights and public health and discuss critical ethical considerations for public health practice;
6. examine the intersectoral and interdisciplinary systems that comprise good public health and implications for the workforce.

Assessment

Report on public health history (Objectives 1-2) - 30%
Essay on determinants of population health and approaches to address them (objectives 1, 3 & 4) - 30%
Examination comprising multiple choice and short answer questions (Objectives 1-6) - 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Helen Keleher

Contact hours

Lecture 1.0 hour and Tutorial 2.0 hours per week plus 9 hours per week

Prerequisites

Nil

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Nil