Enrolments for 2021 have closed.
Global Public Health Challenges
Postgraduate | CUR-MPH404 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake
View information for 2022 course intakeNavigate the public health system’s origins. Identify and scrutinise environmental, social and biological factors affecting public health services.Analyse causes of global health issues and plan, introduce and monitor public health interventions.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Global Public Health Challenges
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- critique different perspectives on health, its measurement, determinants and patterns
- define public health and analyse its origins, historical development and contemporary approaches
- evaluate the role of ethics, equity and evidence in addressing inequality in the context of public health
- demonstrate an appropriate understanding of academic integrity principles and apply academic writing, referencing and acknowledgement conventions required for the discipline
- Introduction to public health
- Biological health determinants
- Environmental health determinants
- Social health determinants
- Global public health
- Public health measurement and surveillance
- Health promotion
- Policy, politics and power
- Indigenous public health
- Public health nutrition
- Climate change and public health
- Occupational health and safety
- Emergencies, disasters and public health
- Sexuality and public health
- Public health ethics
This subject was previously known as Foundations of Public Health.
This subject introduces students to public health as an organised global and local effort to prevent illness and promote and protect the public’s health. It will explore principles and practice of public health - past, present and future. It frames public health in its historical, political and cultural contexts to enable student to engage critically and conceptually with contemporary public health theory and practice. Public health issues, both local and global, are used as case studies to assist students to develop the knowledge, skills and conceptual vocabulary necessary to analyse public health challenges and articulate possible solutions. This subject will cover: historical contexts and developments; frameworks, theory and multidisciplinary approaches; the pillars of protection, prevention and promotion; the determinants of health and illness of populations; global and indigenous public health; ethics, equity and evidence in public health.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Online Short Answer Assessment (15%)
- Critical paper (35%)
- Invigilated Exam (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
CUR-CEH601 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.