Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

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

Synopsis

This unit provides opportunities to examine the impact of multiple factors that contribute to the health of Australia's population, known collectively as the social determinants of health as well as the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in program planning for health promotion. 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 between identifiable groups or categories of people within populations. They will also develop skills in needs assessment, priority setting, designating targets for change, using evidence and theory to make intervention choices and establishing systems for program management.

Objectives

1. Define health promotion from 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. Explain frameworks for the social determinants of health and critically reflect on their relationship to social equity, health inequities, social justice and the ethical project of health promotion;
4. Describe the steps in comprehensive program planning as a basis for action to address health determinants;
5. Identify the information sources that can be used to identify health needs, assess determinants and select targets for change;
6. Demonstrate an understanding of priority setting and specification of goals, objectives and strategies based on a logic model;
7. Demonstrate the use of evidence and theory in all stages of planning, including evaluation;

Assessment

Review of literature (30%)
Case Study (20%)
Development of Program Plan (50%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Emma Bruce

Contact hours

Students are required to attend a number of compulsory on-campus/on-site study blocks