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Foundations of Public Health (POPH90217)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
ebarnard@unimelb.edu.au vromero@unimelb.edu.au
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
Overview
Availability | February |
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Fees | Look 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: 23 April 2024
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: 23 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
One short critical analysis
| Week 4 | 20% |
One multiple choice test
| End of the teaching period | 20% |
Essay
| Week 11 | 60% |
Last updated: 23 April 2024
Dates & times
- February
Coordinators Vivian Romero and Emma Barnard Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 February 2024 to 26 April 2024 Last self-enrol date 6 March 2024 Census date 8 March 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 April 2024 Assessment period ends 3 May 2024 February contact information
ebarnard@unimelb.edu.au vromero@unimelb.edu.au
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Last updated: 23 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Health Informal specialisation Global Health Major Environment and Public Health Major Public Health Informal specialisation Evaluation and Implementation Science Informal specialisation Health Economics and Economic Evaluation Informal specialisation Health Policy, Systems and Practice Informal specialisation Infectious Disease Epidemiology Informal specialisation Health, Gender and Society Informal specialisation Sexual Health Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics Informal specialisation Gerontology Informal specialisation Indigenous Health - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 23 April 2024