95749 Global Population Health
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 60 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10360 Bachelor of Public Health OR 60 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10410 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment OR 60 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10396 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of International Studies OR 60 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10441 Bachelor of Health Sciences Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 60 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10466 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
Description
Epidemiology provides the basis for significant public and global health decisions. This subject reinforces and extends the basic principles of epidemiology introduced in 95729 Introduction to Epidemiology. It explores essential epidemiologic concepts, including how to describe disease risk, standard study designs, bias and confounding, and the importance of appropriate measures in epidemiological research in a global health context. Students can describe and analyse variation in health on a national, regional and global level and to explore the causes of the variation. It examines global health within social, environmental, economic and demographical changes. This subject provides an understanding of and skills in applying the core epidemiological methods necessary for those seeking to work in a global health context.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Apply core epidemiological methods and concepts to global population health. |
|---|---|
| B. | Describe epidemiological data in tabular and graphical format including the calculation and interpretation of common measures of the burden of disease. |
| C. | Describe the shift in the global burden of diseases from infectious to non-communicable diseases. |
| D. | Critically explain and compare the different patterns and causes of health and disease on national, regional and global levels. |
| E. | Evaluate the relevance of the epidemiological approach to global population health. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Advocate for and engage with individuals and communities to reduce health inequities and promote social justice in a global context. (1.0)
- Analyse and contextualise complex data including statistical information in public health. (1.1)
- Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of health projects and programs. (2.1)
- Develop creative and innovative responses to health issues. (2.2)
- Translate and communicate knowledge and research effectively to various audiences. (3.3)
- Recognises the need of supportive and responsive evidence-based practice in diverse communities. (4.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Recognise and respond to the diverse health needs of communities both locally and abroad (1.3)
- Apply newly generated or existing data to inform optimal care and/or service development (2.5)
- Promote health equity by recognizing and seeking to address disadvantage (4.1)
- Make use of research and data to enable responsible, ethical and equitable service provision (4.2)
- Identify appropriate information resources and apply effective and creative solutions for the improvement of individuals and communities (5.1)
- Critically evaluate research and practice for socially driven change (5.3)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, a range of teaching and learning strategies will be used to engage students with the content and achieve student learning outcomes. Learning will occur through engagement with online resources including readings, podcasts and videos. Face-to-face tutorials in this subject are designed to be participatory to engage students and enable them to clarify complex concepts and terminology. Tutorials will complement the lecture content by providing and promoting in-depth learning and discussions.
Content (topics)
- Review of epidemiological concepts
- Measuring the global burden of disease: Epidemiological concepts used to understand global health – mortality, morbidity, lost years of healthy life etc.
- Key indicators of global health: DALY, PYLL etc.
- Case study of data use, coverage, quality and accessibility: Sexual and reproductive health
- Case study of data use, coverage, quality and accessibility: Women’s health
- Infectious and communicable diseases: emergence of infectious disease in high income settings
- Non-communicable diseases: Increasing shift from infectious and communicable diseases, to non-communicable diseases (the epidemiological transition)
- Disease prevention and control: Monitoring and evaluation programs, information systems, treatments, interventions.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Individual Multiple Choice Quizzes (3 Quizzes)
| Intent: | These quizzes are designed to assess students understanding of the content delivered in the lectures and tutorials. Conducting these quizzes will help students to grasp fundamental terms, concepts and ideas in epidemiology and in global population health. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 2.2 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Each quiz will be 15 minutes long. |
Assessment task 2: Case study of global health issue
| Intent: | This assessment task focuses on gathering information on a global health issue and to explore selected health and development issues in a variety of settings. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1 and 3.3 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 20 minutes presentation (plus 5-10 minutes discussion) |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on the following:
|
Assessment task 3: Policy Brief on global health issue
| Intent: | The policy brief assignment challenges students to dive deep into a global health issue faced by a low- or middle-income country. By analyzing data, considering context, and developing evidence-based recommendations, they hone critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills while applying concepts from epidemiology and public health. Ultimately, this task aims to equip future health professionals to understand complex challenges, develop effective solutions, and champion meaningful change. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.3 and 4.2 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Policy Brief - 1200 words (+/- 10%) (excl. references) |
| Criteria: |
Required texts
All readings will be available via links from Canvas. The required prelearning activities for this subject will be advised on Canvas prior to any on campus lectures and tutorials. Please complete the set prelearning activities prior to the tutorial class in the week required. NB: It is essential that students complete all required prelearning activities. The required prelearning activities will be considered assumed knowledge for tutorial classes and the examination.
Recommended texts
Detels, R. (2015). Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). (2018). Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. IHME.
Jamison, D. T., Breman, J. G., Measham, A. R., Alleyne, G., Claeson, M., Evans, D. B., Musgrove, P. (2006). Disease control priorities in developing countries. The World Bank.
Koplan, J. P., Bond, T. C., Merson, M. H., Reddy, K. S., Rodriguez, M. H., Sewankambo, N. K., & Wasserheit, J. N. (2009). Towards a common definition of global health. The Lancet, 373(9679), 1993-1995. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60332-9
Markle, W. H. (2014). Understanding Global Health (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Skolnik, R. L. (2020). Global health 101 (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
(Students are not expected to purchase any of the above resources)
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
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