James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

HS5800 - Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine

Subject Description

Welcome to HS5800 Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine. Lifestyle medicine is about adding years to life, and life to years. Sir Muir Gray, one of the leading figures in public health and a founder of the Cochrane Collaboration said "The application of what we know already will have a bigger impact on health and disease than any drug or technology likely to be introduced in the next decade." In this subject we seek to provide learners with a strong foundation for understanding the role of lifestyle and social factors in physical and mental health and illness, including the evidence and scientific undestanding for these bio-psycho-social-cultural determinants. Key lifestyle and social factors we explore, include: · Nutrition and Fasting · Physical activity · Sedentary behaviour · Sleep · Mindstates and Mindsets e.g. stress management, meditation · Tobacco and substance dependence · Social connection · Social media · Connection with the natural world · Creative arts · Social determinants · Technology relevant to the above In the assessment, an emphasis is placed on health communication and translation that uses the content knowledge to build real workplace skills required in this modern era. Health professionals need to be able to access scientific material, understand it, apply it in their practice, and communicate it with various key groups of stakeholders: decision makers, the public and other health professionals. As each of these groups are unique, a range of communication skills are required.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically analyse the lifestyle determinants on health and illness including nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, mental wellbeing and stress management, tobacco, alcohol and other substances, social connection, social media, connection with the natural world and, when applicable, associated technology
• Evaluate the influences on individual and public health including social, environmental and economic influences
• Produce lifestyle and social medicine related health content to communicate health messages

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Oral > Presentation 1 - (35%) - Individual
• Written > Letter/memorandum - (35%) - Individual
• Padlet video post (2 minute) + 200 written post in response to a short question (on lifestyle and social determinants of health) - (10%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities