Culture and Society in Public Health

Unit code: HMG7220 | Study level: Postgraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
City Campus
St Albans
VU Online
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
Enquire

Overview

This unit examines the contribution of the social sciences to understanding and improving public health. The influence of culture and society on beliefs, attitudes and behaviours around health and how these shape disease risk and health outcomes is critically appraised. Students will explore the complex relationships between gender, culture and health inequalities. The efficacy of policies and strategies to address such inequalities will be evaluated. Concepts such as cultural competence, cultural safety and cultural humility as they relate to public health practice will be examined. Students will evaluate effective communication strategies, for public health practice when working with diverse communities.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate theoretical frameworks which explain the influence of society and culture on health and access to health care and defend their application in known and unknown scenarios;
  2. Critically appraise efforts to address health inequalities through public health policies and programs, taking into account sociological and anthropological perspectives;
  3. Apply and justify the use of the varying terms relating to cultural perspectives, that inform public health practice directed at addressing health inequalities in diverse populations; and
  4. Propose effective communication strategies for public health practitioners working with social groups in diverse cultures.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Other
|
Grade: 20%
Media contribution regarding a contemporary public health issue (1000 words)
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 50%
Case study on health inequality and public health strategy (2500 words)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 30%
Group presentation (10 minutes plus questions) on culture and public health

Other locations

For students studying at VU Online
Assessment type: Other
|
Grade: 10%
Contribute to a discussion on issues that impact beliefs, attitudes and behaviour around health (500 words)
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 50%
Case study on specific health inequality (2500 words)
Assessment type: Essay
|
Grade: 40%
Essay on cultural competence (2000 words)

Required reading

Required readings will be made available on VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Graduate Certificate in Public Health
HTPT | Graduate certificate | Duration: 8 months
Master of Global Public Health
HMGP | Masters (coursework) degree | Duration: 2 years
Master of Public Health
HMPT | Masters (coursework) degree | Duration: 2 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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