PHE5WPH
WELLBEING AND PREVENTION IN HEALTH
PHE5WPH
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, you will gain insights into public health action and systems underpinning action. You will learn about the development of public health practices through time, from the earliest recorded efforts to control disease and maintain health to today's practices. There will be a focus on five themes: (i) public health practice in the context of complex systems shaping the determinants of health; (ii) interventions on important public health issues including tobacco, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, mental health, violence, and the evidence base supporting them (iii) new and emerging issues for public health including health inequalities, disaster recovery, problem gambling, urbanisation and climate change; (iv) interventions relevant to 'at risk' and vulnerable populations in Australia such as Indigenous Australians, marginalised populations and low income groups; (v) approaches to locating and assessing evidence, and applying evidence in different contexts. Students will become familiar with the evolution and status of the national agenda for prevention and health promotion in Australia and other countries.
SchoolSchool of Psychology & Public Health
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSally Fawkes
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Students must be admitted in one of the following course codes: HMPHC or HCHP - all others must seek subject coordinator approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Australia: the healthiest country by 2020 - the roadmap for action | Preliminary | Australian Government, 2009 | NATIONAL PREVENTIVE HEALTH TASKFORCE, CANBERRA |
| Readings | Public Health Practice in Australia. The Organised Effort. (2nd Ed) | Recommended | Lin, V., Smith, J. and Fawkes, S., 2014 | ALLEN AND UNWIN, SYDNEY |
| Readings | Advocacy and action in public health: lessons from Australia over the 20th century | Prescribed | Gruszin S, Hetzel D & Glover J. (2012) | COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, CANBERRA |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Evaluate the factors contributing to public health successes in Australia and other countries
- Activities:
- Research, critically analyse and discuss changes in public health issues, action and systems over time; Write an assessment of how success was achieved for two different health issues
02. Analyse how public health knowledge and systems are used to address significant, contemporary health issues for different population groups
- Activities:
- Analyse scholarly materials; Discuss information, evidence and insights presented by public health professionals; Make an online posting on LMS of key learnings
03. Critique strategies developed and implemented in Australia to respond to the health needs of Indigenous populations and newly arrived migrants
- Activities:
- Participate in a program of field visits; Research and record a video assignment on a persistent health challenge for a given 'at risk' or vulnerable population group
04. Apply knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions for public health problems.
- Activities:
- Collaborate with other students to research and develop an original response to a public health problem and present this to peers for discussion and debate
Subject options
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City Campus, 2018, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size60
Enrolment information Class room size and subject resources for blended delivery Quota number for HMPHC (Master of Public Health) students is 60. Students for whom WPH is an elective need approval from Subject Coordinator.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSally Fawkes
Class requirements
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
Five 6.3 hours lecture/workshop per study period from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Block mode consisting of five full days per semester.
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Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| one 1,500-word assignment on public health approaches. | 30 | 01 | |
| one 1500-word assignment on Indigenous Australians and health inequality. | 30 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Group presentation (10 min per student) on emerging challenges in public health. | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| 1000 word commentary on peer presentation on emerging challenges in public health | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |