This unit provides students with an understanding of the interactions between public health and the natural and built environment. Students will examine current and emerging environmental risks to human and ecosystem health with a focus on climate change as a defining issue for public health in the 21st century. Students will study the science of climate change and examine the direct and indirect pathways through which climate change impacts health outcomes and health equity. Students will critically appraise local, national and global frameworks, strategic actions and policy solutions designed to protect public health from environmental risks and build resilience. Considering the concepts of mitigation and adaptation students will use systems thinking to design local level public health responses to environmental risks including climate change.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Selected readings will be made available via the unit VU Collaborate site.
This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.