Module catalogue: SH5008

SH5008 - Advancing the health of the population: Understanding Public Health (2024/25)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2024/25

Module title

Advancing the health of the population: Understanding Public Health

Module level

Intermediate (05)

Credit rating for module

School

School of Social Sciences and Professions

Total study hours

300

28 hours	Assessment Preparation / Delivery
200 hours	Guided independent study
72 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Qualifying mark	Description
Coursework	100%		A 2,500 word essay based on selection of one of a number of set questions

Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

Period	Campus	Day	Time	Module Leader
Year	North	Monday	Morning

Module summary

This module aims to:

 Develop understanding of the Public Health discipline
 Develop understanding and knowledge of population health data and the skills to interpret this data
 Provide a social science based contextual and critical understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health on population health outcomes
 Develop an understanding and knowledge of population health issues and how to take an evidence-based approach to tackle these issues

Syllabus

The module programme is structured to tackle each of the learning outcomes in turn.

1. The foundations of Public Health including an introduction to Health Protection, Healthcare Public Health and Health Promotion LO1
2. The wider determinants of health LO2
3. How to access and use population health datasets LO3
4. Developing skills for evidence-based practice LO4
5. Thinking critically about the contemporary issues in public health LO 1-5

The first four areas of the module programme will provide students with the foundations upon which to understand, discuss and think critically about contemporary issues in public health (area 5) which will form the second half of module delivery.

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

A range of teaching methods will be used throughout this module: lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops and discussions, both face to face and online. These sessions 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.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Explain and discuss the three pillars of Public Health being Health Protection, Healthcare Public Health, and Health Promotion
2. Understand and discuss the determinants of health
3. Interpret and explain population health data
4. Take an evidence-based approach to public health decisions
5. Think critically about contemporary issues in public health

Bibliography