module specification

 This module aims to:

Develop an understanding, knowledge, 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 emphasis on the importance of community engagement as part a public health response
Evaluate a range of projects and research studies; identifying the impact on public health issues
Understand and evaluate the key principles and concepts underpinning developments in public health and health promotion at the community level
Critically analyse the influence of various national policies on health promotion practice.

Blended learning –
Autumn -  face-to-face
Spring - online

 This module will examine the Public Health issues and community based approaches to tackle these issues, including the influences of global, national and regional policies.

This module covers the following areas: -

● Historical, contemporary, and expected future developments in public health and health promotion LO1, LO4
● The social determinants of health, and inequalities in health LO1, LO5
● Measurement, strategies, and health programmes to tackle health inequalities LO1, LO3, LO5
● Local, national, and international (global) public health policy contexts LO1, LO2, LO4
● Public health diagnosis of population's health and well-being needs LO1
● Identification of local needs using participatory approaches LO1, LO3
● Approaches to health promotion LO3, LO4, LO5
● Theoretical and methodological frameworks to empowerment communities LO3
● Selected special topics including the major causes of premature mortality, lifestyle behaviours, mental health and wellbeing. LO1, LO3, LO5

Relevant and current initiatives and research in 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.

A range of teaching methods will be used throughout this module: lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops and discussions, both face to face and online. These session will provide background coverage on topics under discussion and interactive learning. Students will be required to read set texts and articles and to discuss these in classes and seminars. Additional resources will be available online via WebLearn. Module staff will be available to provide face-to-face, telephone, and email support to students during and outside timetabled sessions.

 On 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, healthcare public health, and health improvement (including health promotion)
2. Critically examine global, national, and local policies for health improvement and health promotion, explaining how these relate to engagement with communities within England.
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 first assessment is an oral group presentation addressing a public health issue, and an intervention strategy; the second assessment involves participation in four online reading and discussion groups on specific topics to deepen learning and inform the final assessment, a 3,500 word essay critically appraising a public health policy for its use of health promotion approaches.

A formative assessment will take place in week 4 on a discussion of a public health issue, to give students early feedback on their work, and the assessment process.

 Core texts:

Naidoo, J., and Wills, J. (2010) Public Health and Health Promotion: Developing Practice (3rd). London: Elsevier Limited.

Laverack, G. (2007). Health promotion practice: building empowered communities.  New York: Mcgraw Hill.

Other text:
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.

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. (2005) Foundations for Health Promotion (4th). London: Elsevier Limited.

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.

Wanless, D., Jones, N., Anderson, R., et al. (2004) Securing good health for the population. London: The Stationary Office.

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
Journal of Community and Applied Psychology
Community health and social care
Global Public Health
Critical Public Health
Journal of Public Health Policy

Online resources:
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/

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

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

Public Health England: https://twitter.com/phe_uk