module specification

This module aims to develop knowledge and skills of nutritional epidemiology and its application to public health nutrition. Students will learn the theory and application of public health and will understand the process of undertaking a public health nutrition strategy. This will enable students to demonstrate the ability to contribute to service development increasing their leadership and management skills.
In undertaking this module students will be able to demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and be identifiable as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible dietetic professionals.   

Assessment: 
1. Report which will be a business case apply for funding to implement a public health project (2500 words) (80%);
2. This will be accompanied by a 20 minute oral presentation (10%) of a poster (10%) pitching the business case.
This module forms an essential part of preparation for placement 3. Students must obtain at least 50% to pass this module. In addition students must usually obtain at least 45% in each component of assessment within this module. A mark of between 45% and 49% may be compensated by other components.

1. Introduce the concepts and principles used in public health and epidemiology.
2. Develop an understanding of contemporary and controversial issues in public health.
3. Appreciate the ethical implications involved in the application of nutritional information for public health.
4. Gain a clear understanding of factors affecting food choice throughout the lifecycle and across socioeconomic divide.

Postgraduate entry requirements apply.

Available for Study Abroad? NO

Principles of epidemiology and the application to public health dietetic practice (LO1)
Identifying the requirements for public health at a population level (LO2)
Methods of optimising nutritional status at a population level (LO3)
The interaction of diet, socio-economic, genetic and political influences on health and disease (LO3, LO4).
Public health policies and practices and strategies in UK and overseas (LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6)
Food choice across the lifecycle including food poverty, economic insecurity and social exclusion.(LO3)
Study of the UK diet in relation to socio-demographic factors such as age, religion, ethnicity, socio economic class, food poverty (LO3)
Needs assessment of communities and populations (LO1, LO2, LO5)
Use of demographic, epidemiological anthropometric and nutrition survey (LO5, LO6, LO7)

Knowledge of the subject matter of this module will be acquired via interactive lectures (22 hours), group tutorials (12 hours) and in class oral presentations (8Hours) which are mandatory.  In addition, students will be required to spend up to 158 hours in private study, preparation and self-directed reading.  Students will be instructed in the appropriate use of learning resources and assisted with suitable directed reading material.

1. Evaluate methodologies used in nutritional epidemiology and interpret and evaluate epidemiological data in relation to nutrition and health.
2. Critically evaluate current health, education and social services strategies, systems, and policies in the provision of healthcare at local, regional, and national level and how this relates to the public health model.
3. Demonstrate an ability to integrate underlying nutritional, lifestyle, and genetic factors with the aetiology of chronic disease and the public health response
4. Critically evaluate public health strategies to reduce the incidence of nutritionally related diseases 
5. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how to undertake a needs assessment, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate a public health strategy
6. Critically evaluate business and financial planning in the public sector.
7. Evaluate NHS commissioning processes, tendering, and contracting policies and how these link to quality, standards, audit, and clinical governance.
8. lllustrate understanding of the requirements by the Health and Care Professions Council and demonstrate an ability to practise within the ethical and legal boundaries of the dietetic profession.

The first assessment is a report which will be a business case apply for funding to implement a public health project (2500 words)
This module forms an essential part of preparation for placement 3. Students must obtain at least 50% to pass this module. In addition, students must usually obtain at least 45% in each component of assessment within this module. A mark of between 45% and 49% may be compensated by other components

Coursework feedback will be available for collection from the departmental office three weeks following the publication of the results on Evision.

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/nf7011