Current public health events will be used as a discussion tool to illustrate the real-world nature of the material and its pervasiveness in our lives. Case studies will be used to support the material as well. This course will encourage critical thinking, group discussions, and promote written communication skills. The overriding objective of this course is to gain a broad-based knowledge of public health concepts and techniques. Students will also learn the core public health philosophies and concepts of protection, disease prevention and health promotion.

 APPLIED COURSE DESCRIPTION: In the Introduction to Public Health: Addressing Health Disparities and Social Challenges, this course will provide students with the tools to learn the principles of evidence-based public health and become familiar with the resources available for implementation including health communications and informatics, applications of social and behavioral sciences, and health policy, law and ethics.

COURSE GOAL: To learn the principles and practice of public health as applied to global health problems.

 The course will cover: 1) The principles of population health; 2) Tools of population health; 3) Preventing disease, morbidity and mortality; 4) Health professionals, healthcare institutions and healthcare systems; 5) Public health institutions and systems.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

·       Define public health and learn the difference between individual- and population-based strategies for improving health

·       Understand and discuss the goals of public health – to improve health and eliminate health disparities

·       Explore the methods used to measure health of global populations, find causes and methods for prevention

·       Describe the core functions of public health

·       Discuss the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to public health

·       Understand and discuss relevant public health problems, concerns and approaches.

·       Compare and contrast the various public health policies that govern global public health.

After this course, students will be able to:

·       Describe the purpose of public health

·       Define key terms used in public health

·       Identify prominent events in the history of public health

·       Recognize the core public health functions and services

·       List some determinants of health

·       Recognize how individual determinants of health affect population health

·       Discuss how recent events and emerging public health trends impact health policies and programs

Attendance is crucial to student success. 

• You will be allowed three, no questions asked absences. After the third absence, 5% will be deducted from the overall grade for each additional absence.  
• The only absences that will be excused are those that are approved by the Dean’s office. 
• You are responsible for the material covered and completing in-class assignments if you are absent. Ask a classmate, check the Moodle course page or email me. 
• Missed in-class writings must be submitted at the next class meeting. 
• If you must miss a lesson for religious reasons, please inform me in advance.
• Absence does not excuse work from being graded as late. 
• To attend a lesson remotely, students must present written permission from the Dean of Students in advance of the lesson.
• Students who arrive to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as one absence.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

Major exams (midterm or final) cannot be made up without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

SCHEDULE

Important Dates and Schedule

  Tentative Schedule

The schedule provided below provides a general outline of the units and readings but is subject to change.