Non Communicable Disease & Global Health (POPH90247)

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of this subject students will be able to:

• Consider and appraise the major social, political, environmental, cultural and economic factors driving NCD globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries;
• Describe the historical evolution of the NCDs epidemic, including major political and social changes and how these compare with communicable diseases;
• Explore and apply global, regional and national strategies to address NCD;
• Compare and evaluate key methods for NCD surveillance, monitoring and evaluation;
• Consider and compare the current and forecasted burden of NCD globally and among development groups, regions and subregions;
• Distinguish between the major global and regional NCD ‘players’ and their roles, including government, NGO and intergovernmental bodies.

Generic skills

Knowledge

Upon completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Describe and appraise public health systems, structures and policies in Australia and other countries, as they apply to NCDs, and be able to distinguish a population-based approach from individual based approaches;
• Articulate the ways in which age, gender, ethnicity and Indigenous status, society, culture, geography, the environment and socio-economic status influence NCDs and public health practice.

Skills

Upon completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Describe how the concept of equity applies to public health practice;
• Identify and access public health evidence, and appraise and synthesise this evidence to inform public health decision making with regard to NCDs;
• Explain and/or plan strategies to prevent disease (and injury) and to protect and improve health (i.e. health promotion, screening, legislation and policy).

Application of knowledge and skills

Upon completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Apply a comprehensive knowledge of a public health, with reference to NCDs, to develop solutions to complex public health problems;
• Design and manage a detailed investigation of a NCD-related issue, with a high level personal autonomy.