92488 The Environment, Health and Sustainability
6cp; On-campus workshops (1.5 hours, fortnightly), Online workshops (1 hour, fortnightly, except 2.5 hours in Week 10), 7 hours per week independent study.Requisite(s): ( 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10360 Bachelor of Health Science OR (92574 Introduction to Public Health AND 92566 Introduction to Health Care Systems AND 92571 Principles of Primary Health Care))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Undergraduate
Description
Every year 12.5 million people die from living or working in an unhealthy environment as a result of air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposure, ultraviolet radiation and natural disasters. This subject engages students in dialogue and debate with peers, researchers and practitioners across sectors to examine the relationship between health and the environment in which we live. An ecological approach is taken to investigate the evidence and pathways that impact upon health and wellbeing and how humans, through their intervention in the environment, can play a vital role in exacerbating or reducing health risks. Global challenges related to the changing climate, ocean acidification, human population, rising costs of water, energy, sanitation and waste management are examined in relation to health and the sustainable development goals. Students also consider how health and other sectors can work together to prevent the disease burden and provide the leadership required to find sustainable solutions to strengthen human resilience and adaptive capacity. Innovative system changes are explored, and the concept of planetary health is introduced.
Detailed subject description.