TM5554:03
Theory and Practice of Public Health
| Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
March block mode.
Staff: Assoc. Professor R Speare, Assoc. Professor D Dürrheim (Coordinators).
The development of the discipline of public health and its critical requirements is discussed. The provision of public health services in Australia and other selected countries and public health ethics and policy are covered. Methodologies used by a variety of fields that contribute to the discipline are examined including economics, epidemiology, health promotion, information systems, management science, medical science and sociology. Current interventions against the major infectious and chronic diseases causing public health problems are illustrated. The needs of special populations will be used to synthesise the subject’s coverage.
Learning Objectives:
- to understand the philosophy, history and underlying forces that formed the discipline;
- to appreciate the variety of influences on public health;
- to understand how countries coordinate policies and strategies given legal and ethical frameworks;
- to appreciate the wide array of methodologies basic to public health;
- to demonstrate an ability to apply the tools of public health to current health problems with a particular focus on populations with special needs.
Assessment by group work and invigilated presentation (40%); assignment (60%).