Admission and Unit Information - Graduate Certificate in Public Health

This unit examines the nature of public health and develops a systemic understanding of various public health policy frameworks and issues. The unit provides the context and history for understanding public health approaches, explores the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness and the economic and political environment in which health policies and strategies are developed and implemented. The unit advocates a view of health that includes an implicit recognition of the physical, social and economic environment, affirms the importance of social justice and equity in health care, and emphasises the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

By investigating and addressing the multilevel determinants of health outcomes and inequalities, health promotion initiatives aim to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and societies. In this unit, we will nurture an understanding of concepts and models of health promotion, evaluate the relative successes of recent and classic initiatives within Australia and overseas, and critically engage with debates concerned with the most appropriate strategies for tackling health inequalities in the context of major societal challenges (e.g. population ageing, urbanisation and climate change). Core competencies are nurtured (e.g. Plan and evaluate an intervention) to prepare students for practicing and further study in the field of health promotion.

Evidence is mounting that the health of individuals, groups and whole populations is significantly determined by social factors - the social determinants. The related research has its origins in concern for the growing inequalities in health both within and between countries. This unit examines the framework of the social determinants of health in a global perspective and includes a reflection on the phenomenon of globalisation and its impact, both positive and negative on people's health. Students will critically reflect on this relatively new and emerging body of knowledge and research which clearly situates the maintenance of health and healthy societies within their socioeconomic and socio-cultural contexts. They will also examine implications for policy, health systems and different groups within society.

The unit explores contemporary examples of the role of economics in the organisation, funding and provision of health services. Case examples include, Australia, America, China, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, United Kingdom and India. Students use the principles of economics to assess funding of health with a focus on the interface between economics, ethics and equity in decision making. They also consider the tendency for health systems to be organised around economic principles in areas such as, contracting out, health insurance and pharmaceuticals. Students are encouraged to reflect on the challenges and future directions of their own health system in the context of the unit components.

In this unit, students will study the fundamental concepts and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics and will be given the opportunities through exercise and tutorials to apply these concepts and principles to published public health literature. The unit is designed to give students the skills to interpret and critically evaluate public health literature and to equip the students with the skills for public health research. A range of research studies is examined, including studies of occurrence and risk factors for disease, and studies evaluating intervention treatments or programs. Both the epidemiological and statistical evidence for the findings are critically assessed.

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.