PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES (UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND)

Course: Public Health Issues (Formerly Public Health Issuesn in Global Context)
Credits: 5 ECTS
Time: 30.01.2012 –30.03.2012
Coordinating University: University of Eastern Finland
Coordinator: Paola Kontro, University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, e-mail: paola.kontro@uef.fi

Teaching language: English
Registration: 5.12.2011-23.1.2012

Course content:
Public Health approaches population health from a multidisciplinary perspective. The focus is on larger systems, such as community, society and culture. Major public health problems are not bound to any single country or population, but rather tend to be global.

The basis of this course is anchored on the global goals of the UN Millennium Declaration and on the recognition that health is central to the global agenda of reducing poverty as well as an important measure of human development. At the centrepiece of the course are such issues as child and maternal health, infectious diseases, poverty and social inequalities in health.

Aims:

  • Explore Millennium Development Goals from the Public Health perspective
  • Create the general overview of Public Health in global context
  • Identify major threats to public health and wellbeing globally
  • Understand the effect of socioeconomic and cultural factors on population health
  • Discuss about historical, political, and ethical aspects of health problems
  • Get an overview of recent disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises as well as efforts in disaster management
  • Practice communication skills through social media

Contents:
Introduction to Public Health, Millennium Development Goals and Public Health, which cover areas such as

  • Infectious Diseases (Tuberculosis, HIV/Aids, Malaria)
  • Maternal and child health
  • Consequences of wars and conflicts on public health
  • Environmental sustainability

Teaching methods:
Students are expected to acquire information on each specific topic by using given readings and internet-based material e.g. videos, audios, links and articles. Topics are discussed in students’ own blogs which are created in the beginning of the course.

Assessment: The final mark will consist of evaluation of assignments. Final grading: 1-5.