Provides a broad overview of the various aspects of public health in the United States. Presents applications, stakeholders, and methods of public health in a way that allows for the identification of strengths and limitations of the current model of care delivery. Also offers an overview of careers available in the area of public health.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of public health and its application in the United States, challenges to delivery of public health, and possible careers in the field.
- Definition of Public Health
- History of Public Health in the United States
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Social & Behavioral Factors & Health
- Study Design and Epidemiology
- Community Health Resources & Initiatives
- Challenges to Public Health in the United States
- Government & Politics of Public Health
- Future Challenges and Direction of Public Health
- Careers in Public Health
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Describe the differences between public health and medical care.
- Describe the evolution of public health in the United States.
- Analyze a health problem analysis worksheet that incorporates a variety of environmental and occupational health factors.
- Describe social and behavioral factors that impact health.
- Analyze results and limitations of epidemiologic studies and their measures of disease frequency, incidence, and prevalence.
- Compute rates that allow for the evaluation of health in a population.
- Analyze rates that allow for the evaluation of health in a population.
- Recognize strengths and challenges to public health in the United States.
- Describe how the strengths and limitations of the health care delivery model in the United States contributes to challenges in public health.
- Recognize the influence of government and politics in public health.
- Describe ongoing community health initiatives.
- Describe the variety of career opportunities for health professionals in the area of public health.
Assessment and Requirements
Students will be assessed using a combination of assignments, tests, and online participation.
Textbook(s) determined through the School of Health and Human Services approval.