- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


HL10499: Introduction to public health

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department for Health
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 50% - Qualifying Mark: 1)
  • Examination (EX 50% - Qualifying Mark: 1)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To provide students with an introduction to theoretical and historical aspects of public health, covering key concepts and ideas.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
An understanding of the concept of health and of the history and purpose of public health in society.
An understanding of key theories of public health, including models of the determinants of health (traditional, industrial epidemic, ecological).
An understanding of the contribution of lifestyle choices to non-communicable diseases.
An understanding of sources of health inequalities and associated theories.
The ability to differentiate between individual and population approaches to health.

Skills:
Knowledge and understanding (taught, facilitated and assessed)
Analyse research (taught, facilitated and assessed)
Read and synthesise information (facilitated and assessed)
Work independently (facilitated)
Written communication (facilitated and assessed)
Oral communication (facilitated).

Content:
The meaning of health and public health, and its history, including key milestones, such as the Black Report, Acheson and the Alma Ata declaration
The causes of mortality and morbidity, in terms of communicable and non-communicable diseases and their relationship with lifestyle choices (eg. diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption).
The challenges to public health presented by 'epidemiological transition' and the shifting burden of disease.
Different models of the determinants of health (eg. traditional, industrial-epidemic and social-ecological) which describe micro and macro factors influencing people's health.
Types and theories of health inequalities, addressing key sources of inequality and developing an understanding of absolute and relative disadvantage.
Normative ideas and empirical policy options for addressing public health issues (such as prevention/cure, population/individual) and the impact of health policy decisions on health.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

HL10499 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department for Health
  • UHHL-AFB18 : BSc(Hons) Health and Exercise Science (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AKB18 : BSc(Hons) Health and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AFM18 : MSci(Hons) Health and Exercise Science (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AKM18 : MSci(Hons) Health and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 1)

Notes: