module specification

This is a core module for the BSc Public Health and Health Promotion programme. The module explores theory, policy and practical aspects of public health and health promotion with a focus on community level interventions and engagement within the UK. The syllabus is informed by the public health core and defined areas established in the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (2016).

Students contextualise current public health practice drawing on case studies of specific public health policy contexts in the UK. The main focus will be on key theories, policies and practices influencing developments in public health and health promotion, with an emphasis on design, implementation and evaluation of interventions at the community level.

Relevant initiatives and research in strategies and priorities for public health and health promotion such as health inequalities, participation and involvement, partnership working, social determinants of health, lifestyles and behaviour, and population groups will be explored.

This module aims to:

• Develop a deeper understanding, knowledge base and skills for engaging with historical and contemporary public health discourses, problems, theories, research methodologies, policy and practice issues.
• Provide a social science based contextual and critical understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health on population health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the importance of community engagement as part a public health response
• Evaluate a range of projects and research studies; identify the impact on public health issues.
• Understand and evaluate the key principles and concepts underpinning developments in public health at the community level.
• Critically analyse the influence of various national policies on health promotion practice.

This module will examine the main issues of public health in the context of the community based approaches, and influences of  global, national and regional policies.
The main focus will be key policies influencing developments in public health and health promotion at national levels.
The module will cover areas that include:

• Historical, contemporary and future developments in public health and health promotion
• Theoretical and methodological frameworks for engagement with communities
• Local, national, and international (global) public health policy contexts
• Public health diagnosis of population's health and well-being needs
• Identification of local needs using participatory approaches
• The impact of inequalities in health 
• Measurement, strategies and health programmes to tackle health inequalities;
• Public health and social determinants of health
• Special topics including: Mental health, sexual health, alcohol, obesity, food and public health; lifestyles and behaviours; promoting and protecting the population's health and well-being; health care services; evidence-based public health practice; population groups; public health ethics.

Relevant current initiatives and research in any of these areas will be included. An emphasis will be placed on preparing students to develop a range of skills to effectively communicate with local communities about key public health policies and issues.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically understand and evaluate the various factors that influence population health outcomes and explain their significance in relation to health protection, health promotion and health improvement.
2. Critically examine global, national, and local policies for health improvement or promotion and explain how these relate to engagement with key communities within the UK.
3. Critically analyse measures to address inequalities in health at different geographical levels and between various population groups (with an emphasis on community).
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the values, ethical principles, and norms that influence public health policy development and conduct of public health practitioners.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to measures taken to address specific public health issues.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Critically understand and evaluate the various factors that influence population health outcomes and explain their significance in relation to health protection, health promotion and health improvement.
2. Critically examine global, national and local policies for health improvement or promotion and explain how these relate to engagement with key communities within the UK.
3. Critically analyse measures to address inequalities in health at different geographical levels and between various population groups (with an emphasis on community).
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the values, ethical principles and norms that influence public health policy development and conduct of public health practitioners.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to measures taken to address specific public health issues.

The assessment is designed to test the student's ability to evaluate a range of issues influencing theory, policy and practice developments in public health and health promotion. To assess this and achievement against the module aims and learning outcomes, there will be three assessments. The module is passed on aggregation of the three assessment components.  The components include:
1. a presentation addressing population needs and a community based health promotion intervention (Learning Outcome (LO) 2 and 3) (30%)
2. a 3,500 word essay that focuses on a public health policy issue (LO 1, 2, 4, and 5) (50%)
3. participation in online reading and discussion groups to deepen learning and inform the essay component (LO 2, 3, 4) (20%)

Baggott, R. (2000). Public Health Policy and Politics. London: Macmillan Press.
Coles, L., and Porter, E. (2008). Public Health Skills: A practical guide for nurses and public health practitioners. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Cowley, S. (2002). Public Health in Policy and Practice: A Sourcebook for Health Visitors and Community Nurses. London: Bailliere Tindall.
Department of Health. (2004). Choosing Health: Making healthy choices easier. London: The Stationary Office.
Department of Health. (2010). Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England. London: The Stationery Office for HMG. 
Department of Health. (2006). Our Health, Our Care, Our Say. London: The Stationary Office.
Kawachi, I,. and Wamala, S. (2007) Globalization and Health. New Yok: OUP.
Laverack, G. (2007). Health promotion practice: building empowered communities.  New York: Mcgraw Hill.
Marmot, M., Atkinson, T., Bell, J. et al. (2010). Fair society, healthy lives: the Marmot Review: strategic review of health inequalities in England post-2010. London: The Stationery Office.
Marmot, M., and Wilkinson, R.(2003) Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Naidoo, J., and Wills, J. (2010) Public Health and Health Promotion: Developing Practice (3rd). London: Elsevier Limited.
Naidoo, J., and Wills, J. (2005) Foundations for Health Promotion (4th). London: Elsevier Limited.
Rifkin, S., and Pridmore, P. (2001) Partners in planning: Information, participation and planning. London: MacMillian.
Rifkin, S. B. (2009). Lessons from community participation in health programmes: a review of the post Alma-Ata experience. International Health, 1(1), 31-36.
Rifkin, S. B. (2014). Examining the links between community participation and health outcomes: a review of the literature. Health policy and planning, 29(suppl 2), ii98-ii106.
Sidell, M., Jones, L., Katz, J., Peberdy, A., and Douglas, J. (2003). Debates and Dilemmas in Promoting Health: A Reader (2nd). New York: Pelgrave Macmillan and Open University Press.
Wanless, D., Jones, N., Anderson, R., et al. (2004) Securing good health for the population. London: The Stationary Office.
Wilkinson, R., and Pickett, K. (2010) The Spirit Level: why equality is better for everyone. London: Penguin Books.
World Health Organisation. (1986). The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Geneva: WHO.
World Health Organisation. (2001). Evaluation in health promotion. Geneva: WHO.
World Health Organisation. (2005). The Bangkok charter for health promotion in a globalised world. Geneva: WHO.
World Health Organisation. (2009). The milestones in Health Promotion. Geneva: WHO.

Journals
BMC Public Health
European Journal of Public Health
International journal of health promotion and education
Health Education
Public Health Nursing
Journal of Community and Applied Psychology
Community health and social care
Global Public Health
Critical Public Health
Journal of Public Health Policy

Useful Websites
Department of Health: Annual Health Survey for England: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/healthsurveyengland
Faculty of Public Health: http://www.fph.org.uk
Health Careers: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/
Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
Public Health Profiles: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/
Public Health Outcomes Framework: http://www.phoutcomes.info/
Royal Society of Public Health: https://www.rsph.org.uk/
World Health Organisation: http://www.who.int/en/

Podcasts
Royal Society of Public Health – In conversation with…: https://www.rsph.org.uk/resources/podcasts.html

Blog
Public Health England – Health Matters: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/