PH - Public Health

This course offers students a perspective on the meaning of public health, its value to the general public, and the ability to interpret and analyze the global implications of significant health concerns. Students learn aspects of public health policy, health statistics, infectious, genetic, and chronic disease, and contributing health behaviors.

This course provides an introduction to key issues affecting women's health in the United States with special emphasis on cultural values, health care in minority populations, disease prevention, and consumer health concerns. In addition, the course addresses important ethical and policy issues concerning health care access, reproductive status, the valuation of caretakers, and medical social control. The course gives students a greater appreciation and understanding of the overall health and ill-health that women face in general and how to better educate themselves and others to deal with these issues.

This course provides students with knowledge about racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care. Students examine the ways in which local and community factors and inequalities in socioeconomic status influence health behaviors, access to health care services, and health status outcomes. Additionally, characteristics such as acculturation, patient preferences, provider congruence and cultural competence are explored.

This course exposes students to the health disparities existing between developed and developing countries. Major areas of concern include infant mortality rates and HIV/AIDS as evidence of these disparities. In this course students study the impact of globalization on the spread of diseases, the effects of socioeconomics and cultural factors on health risks, and international delivery of health services to help address these issues.

This course offers a study of the field of Community Health that addresses the health issues facing communities in the United States. The course explores the meanings of health, disease and illness, the concept of community, and the ways in which health problems are considered. Additionally, students examine health behaviors, health promotion and disease prevention, environmental influences, and health care financing.

This course introduces students to the specific regional, national, and international public health programs established to respond to the needs of children and their families. Students are introduced to the history, causes, and systems that serve to promote the health and development of this demographic. The health and reproductive health status of women and the resulting political and societal implications are investigated. The course also covers factors that affect mother and child and resulting conditions that affect these two groups.

This course, the second part of a two-semester core course in the Public Health program, expands on the topics discussed in Public Health I. This course provides students with a perspective of the importance of public health, its value to the general public, and the ability to interpret and analyze the global implications of significant health concerns. Students discuss tobacco use as a public health threat, the effects of poor diet and physical inactivity, intentional and unintentional injuries, maternal and child health, agricultural and environmental hazards, consumer safety, population growth, the medical care system and healthcare reform, and goals of public health in the 21st Century.

In this course, students learn and apply basic concepts of epidemiology to multiple domains of public health. We illustrate and practice using epidemiology to better understand, characterize, and promote health at a population level. The class engages students in active and collaborative learning through team activities, individual projects, case studies, group discussion, and individual projects.

This course gives students a general knowledge and understanding of the demographics, psychosocial perspectives and biomedical components of the human aging process. Students examine the effect of aging on the individual, their families and communities, as well as society as a whole. Students explore family relationships, the role of the caregiver, housing requirements, health care services, public policies and the marketing of products and services. The course also addresses the various lifestyle changes, health changes, and physical changes affecting aging individuals.

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of health attitudes and behavior within the contexts of sociological, psychological, and biological systems. Students explore the use of behavior change theories as a basis for the development of behavior change intervention programs. Consideration is given to social, interpersonal, and individual factors that influence health behavior and status.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the public health function of environmental and occupational health. Students investigate various aspects of environmental health, including air, surface water, and ground water contamination, food safety, occupational health, radiation, chemical and physical hazards, vector control, drug use, and injuries. Students also discuss the health effects of global climate change and rapid industrialization, and developing nations' perspectives on potable water supply, water pollution, indoor and ambient air pollution, sanitation, and waste.

This course combines required seminar participation and supervised internship hours. The internship allows students to apply theories learned in classroom in various health settings.  Students are required to submit internship logs highlighting learning activities and to participate in assigned field-based activities. Specialization areas may include reproductive health, substance abuse, and community health education, among others.

This course is an overview of the design strategies and interventions used to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities. These strategies encompass preliminary needs assessments, stepwise sequences of development, problem identification and problem-solving, data collection, and analysis to determine outcomes.