Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Theory of Public Health
Course Code
SVUEK_037
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine; Public and environmental health
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Public Health
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Anita Villeruša
Structure Unit Manager
Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne
Structural Unit
Institute of Public Health
Contacts
Riga, 9 Kronvalda boulevard, svek@rsu.lv, +371 67338307
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to acquaint students with the diversity of the theoretical basis used in public health research and practice, to develop students' understanding of the link between evidence-based public health policy, practice and research, developing the ability to critically analyze the situation, to develop, adapt and implement proposals and to evaluate the achievements in various sub-areas of public health.
Preliminary Knowledge
Public health and epidemiology, ethics, philosophy, sociology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Will be able to comment on the diversity of theories used in public health; illustrate current public health issues and define the most effective approaches to address them.
Skills
1.To find and systematize the main documents supporting public health policy; to substantiate the origin of public health problems with evidence, to explain their multifactorial etiology; to prepare an analysis and assessment of the state of public health in a specific environment; select and calculate various indicators.
Competences
1.Apply various theories in solving public health problems and choose the most effective prevention options and argue them.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Situation analysis, policy evaluation – independent works prepared and submitted in writing.
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||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Participation in the course, group work (20%,); situation analysis, policy evaluation – individual task submitted and presented (30%), written exam (50%).
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Development of public health as practice and science in a historical context.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
The role of the state in the health of the individual and the health of the population. Areas of activity and competencies of public health services and specialists, the greatest achievements in public in the last century. The range of future public health issues and challenges.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Philosophical and ethical aspects of public health.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Population health at the macro and micro levels, health determinants. Social and ecological understanding of health. The concept of causation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Types of evidence, their acquisition and use. Principles of choosing the problem to be solved. Epidemiology in support of evidence-based Public Health. Strategic planning as a tool for problem solving.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Evidence-based public health policies and practices for reducing infectious and non-communicable diseases. Example: Covid-19 pandemic response strategies globally and nationally.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Application of sociological theories in public health research and practice.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of using sociological theories and their usefulness in generating theoretical and practical innovations in public health.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Significance of different sociological concepts – social capital, disease narratives, social construction of health and disease, stigma, social context of suicide, agency and structure – and their application in public health.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Society and health. Causes and solutions of the formation of sociological concepts.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Application of key theories that explain an individual's behavior and behavior between the individual and the societal level in public health practice. The process of health behavior change, the factors that affect it.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Theories used in health promotion.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
The process of implementing the goals and tasks set in the public health policy. Use of theories in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Planning models. Prioritization. Advocacy and lobbying. Community involvement. Opportunities to influence the government, media support.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Politics in public health and public health policy at different levels.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Evaluation of public health policies and programs.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Types of public health policy and program evaluation, designs, indicators. Selection and development of indicators.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Essential Public Health, Theory and Practice. S.Gillam, J.Yates, P. Badrinath. Cambridge University Press, 2012. (ProQuestEbookCentral)
2.
Evidence- Based Public Health. 3rd ed. Ross C.Brownson, Elizabeth A.Baker, Terry L.Leet, Katheleen N.Gillespie. Oxford University Press, 2018.
3.
Oxford Handbook of Public Health Practice. 4th ed. Edited by: Ichiro Kawachi, Lain Lang and Walter Ricciardi. Oxford University Press, 2022
4.
Transdisciplinary Public Health : Research, Education, and Practice. Haire-Joshu, Debra; McBride, Timothy D. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013 (ProQuestEbookCentral)
Additional Reading
1.
Managing Chronic Conditions. Experience in eight countries. Ellen Nolte, Cecile Knai, Martin McKee. European Observatory on Health System and Policies, WHO, 2008.
2.
Developing Practice for Public Health and Health Promotion. Jennie Naidoo and Jane Wills, Bailliere Tindall. 2010
3.
Principles of Public Health Practice. F.Douglas Scutchfield, C.William Keck. Thomson/Delmar Learning, 2003
4.
Textbook of International Health: Global Health in a Dynamic World. 3rd ed. by Anne-Emanuelle Birn (Author), Yogan Pillay (Author), Timothy H. Holtz (Author). 2009
5.
Ecological Public Health: Reshaping the Conditions for Good Health. Rayner, Geof; Lang, Tim. Taylor & Francis Group, 2012 (ProQuestEbookCentral)
6.
A History of Public Health, Revised expanded version. Georg Rosen. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015.
7.
Rose's strategy of preventive medicine. Geoffrey Rose. Oxford University Press, 2008.
8.
Oxford textbook of global public health. 7th ed., edited by Roger Detels, Robert Beaglehole, Mary Ann Lansang and Martin Gulliford. Oxford University Press, 2021
9.
Lietišķā epidemioloģija. Māris Baltiņš. Zinātne, 2003, 11- 51.
10.
Eiropas slimību profilakses un kontroles centra dati un publikācijas
11.
Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students:
12.
Oxford textbook of global public health. 7th ed., edited by Roger Detels, Robert Beaglehole, Mary Ann Lansang and Martin Gulliford. Oxford University Press, 2021
13.
Rose's strategy of preventive medicine. Geoffrey Rose. Oxford University Press, 2008.
14.
A History of Public Health, Revised expanded version. Georg Rosen. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015.
15.
Ecological Public Health: Reshaping the Conditions for Good Health. Rayner, Geof; Lang, Tim. Taylor & Francis Group, 2012 (ProQuestEbookCentral)
Other Information Sources
1.
PVO un Eiropas reģiona datu bāzes Health for All, Whosis u.c. un publikācijas www.who.int/research/en; www.who.int/whosis/en/;
2.
CDC datu bāzes un publikācijas
3.
Global Health Observatory (GHO) publikācijas
4.
Veselība 2020, https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/starptautiskie-dokumenti/veseliba_20201.pdf
5.
Nacionālais attīstības plāns (NAP 2020 un NAP 2027)
6.
Eiropas Observatorija
7.
Latvijas Sabiedrības veselības pamatnostādnes 2014.-2020.
8.
Sabiedrības veselības analīze Latvijā, statistikas apkopojumi veselības apsekojuma rezultāti LR Centrālā Statistikas pārvalde, www.csb.gov.lv; u.c.