HSC2100 - Emerging challenges in health - 2019

This unit explores key emerging challenges in health at the national and global levels. A case study approach is used to explore current issues facing health systems, including the causes, consequences, and approaches used to address the issues.

Causes are considered at the behavioural, social, cultural, political and environmental levels. A public health and/or systems thinking perspective is taken to describe and critically appraise initiatives to address identified issues.

Specific challenges which will be the focus of this unit will change over time in line with contemporary and emerging issues, but for example may include: obesity, population ageing, climate change, emerging infectious diseases and mental health, terrorism, and natural disasters.

On successful completion of this unit students will:

1. Analyse the behavioural, social and cultural, environmental and political determinants that contribute to selected emerging challenges in health.
2. Explain and apply the basic principles of a systems thinking approach to emerging health challenges.
3. Identify and appraise public health principles and approaches to control, prevent or otherwise address selected emerging challenges.
4. Analyse the implications of selected emerging challenges for the delivery of health care and structure and functions of health systems.
5. Describe and explain basic risk and emergency management principles.

• Case study (900 words) (15%)
• Group presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
• Critical appraisal (1,500 words) (25%)
• Examination (2 hours) (40%) Hurdle

Hurdle:

80% attendance at tutorials

80% participation in online tasks

1 hour lecture, 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of directed online student learning activities, plus 6 hours of self-directed study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Health science

Public health