Global Perspectives on Public Health: A Survey of Core Concepts and Applied Practice

About

While clinical medicine deals with the health of the individual, public health is concerned with the health of the population. The UK Faculty of Public Health defines public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society.” The recent COVID-19 pandemic acutely underscored the key functions public health professionals play in considering, designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions at the population level. If you are interested in thinking about complex problems touching all aspects of society, or are considering a career in public health, medicine, or public policy, this course can provide a valuable starting point in your journey.

First, students will be introduced to the five core “pillars” of public health practice: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioural sciences. While many public health professionals specialise in one of these areas, a well-rounded understanding across these pillars is seen as essential to public health practice. Lectures and seminars will cover key concepts and real-world examples with seminars focusing on the critical evaluation of real studies within each core area. The second part of the course will focus on applying these skills to case studies covering key public health issues from around the world.

By the end of the course, students should have a basic framework through which to approach, and consider, key issues in public health – issues that are often complex and require balancing of competing priorities, difficult trade-offs, and externalities. We aim for students to leave this course with an understanding of how to approach this complexity, the basic tools at their disposal, and an understanding of how the consideration of real-world examples can help to inform their future practice. We will also ensure students are informed about what they can do in the future to continue to grow and advance their knowledge in the space

Course leader

Dr Nick DeVito

Target group

This course would suit students in a range of disciplines including Medicine / Pre-Med, International Development, Politics, and Human Geography. The course would be especially beneficial for students looking ahead to careers or postgraduate study in Medicine, Public Health, or health policy

Fee info