Foundations of Public Health (POPH90217)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2017 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2017 version of this subject

Overview

Availability
February
FeesLook up fees

This subject is a compulsory subject within the Master of Public Health. It lays the foundation for the degree and provides an orientation to the field of public health. It provides a critical overview of public health historical development, conceptual underpinnings and practice in the following domains.

History and distinguishing features of public health and population health: The historical development of public health is traced. The distinguishing features of public health, emphasising the health of groups and populations rather than a focus on the health of an individual, are presented and explored. Key points of transition in the health of populations over time are identified. The scientific disciplines that make up the toolbox of modern population health are described.

Determinants of the health of individuals, groups and populations: Determinants of health affecting the health of individuals, and populations are identified, recognising that social determinants work in concert with environmental and biological factors. The health of indigenous people in Australia is examined and resources provided to assist in understanding common influences on the health of indigenous people world-wide. The increasing importance of health and human rights locally and globally is discussed, including an examination of the ethical frameworks relevant to public health practice.

Strategies and Systems: Major strategies and approaches to public health including health protection, health improvement and health care quality assessment are presented, with illustrations from local and international experience. The elements and function of health systems are defined and the roles of principal public health agencies internationally and nationally are described.

Achievements and challenges: The significant achievements in public health from the late 20 th century through to the 21 st century are identified and emerging challenges and possible solutions are explored, including in relation to indigenous populations.

 

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:



  • Describe the principal population-based approaches to health and distinguish them from individual-based approaches.
  • Describe how and in what contexts organised, population-based approaches to health are applied
  • Discuss the historical development of population-based concepts and organised approaches to health and how this has influenced current health services and public health interventions.
  • Identify the key components of a health system and analyse the relative importance of different health system elements in different settings and contexts
  • Discuss the role of socio-cultural, environmental and biological factors in shaping the health of populations, including indigenous populations, and identify the relative influence of these factors in different settings and contexts.
  • Describe the relationship between human rights and the health of particular populations.
  • Critically examine the ethical principles embedded in provision of healthcare and public health programs.
  • Describe modern advances in public health and discuss challenges and possible responses to emerging health problems locally and globally, including in relation to indigenous populations.

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
  • Persuasion and argumentation

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • One 1000 word short critical analysis to be submitted in week 6 (20%)
  • One 50-minute multiple choice test on last teaching day (20%)
  • One 3,000 word essay due in week 12 (60%)

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • February
    Principal coordinatorRosemary McKenzie
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period23 February 2017 to 28 April 2017
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2017
    Census date10 March 2017
    Last date to withdraw without fail 7 April 2017
    Assessment period ends 6 May 2017

    February contact information

    r.mckenzie@unimelb.edu.au

    Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

    OR

    Currently enrolled students:

    Future Students:

Time commitment details

170 hours

Additional delivery details

 

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022