Course Description
An overview of public health, with an emphasis on the population perspective and cross-cutting nature of public health, including the population impacts of healthcare systems, environmental and social/behavioral influences on the health of the public, theoretical models and concepts, and historic and contemporary issues.
Athena Title
Fundamentals of Public Health
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in PBHL 3100, PBHL 3100E, PBHL 7100
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Describe the context and scope of public health, including history, philosophy, literature, essential services, ethics, and applications to current events; 2. Compare the basic principles of epidemiology, including rates, risk factors, disease determinants and causation, and critically analyze the literature; 3. Explain the impact of behavior on health and methods for altering behavior at the individual and social levels and critically analyze health behavior change initiatives; 4. Demonstrate how health policy, law, and ethics can serve as tools for implementing health decisions and the potential tensions between individual rights and social responsibilities; 5. Examine the impact of environmental factors on health; 6. Investigate the concepts of prevention, detection, and control of infectious and chronic diseases; 7. Identify the role of health professions and the professional options in the healthcare and public health workforce; 8. Examine and critically analyze the organization of healthcare and public health systems; 9. Critique the issues associated with cost, quality, and access to healthcare/public health services; analyze and create health policy briefs associated with current issues in healthcare and public health services; 10. Interpret public health’s commitment to vulnerable populations and to global health initiatives; 11. Investigate the current and emerging issues within the field.
Topical Outline
Topics to be covered: Introduction to Public Health Public Health History and Controversies Public Health Workforce/State and Local P.H. Population Approach and Evidence-Based P.H. Epidemiology Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Methods) Problems and Limits of Epidemiology (Error/Bias) The Role of Data (Health Information and Agencies) Role of Infectious Disease Infectious Disease Resurgence Case Study 1 (Historic Challenges in Public Health-Discussion Section) Social and Behavioral Health (Factors) Social and Behavioral Health (Behavioral Change) Tobacco Nutrition and Obesity Injury Mental Health Maternal and Child Health Midterm Case Study 2 (Current Challenges in Public Health-Discussion Section) Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Environmental Health and Population Solid Waste, Air, and Water Food and Drugs U.S. Healthcare Systems Medical Care and Insurance Healthcare Reform Global Health Aging Case Study 3 (Emerging Challenges in Public Health-Discussion Section)
Syllabus