91ɬÂþ

Public health challenges are shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and global forces. These forces influence not only the conditions in which populations live but also the design, priorities, and performance of health systems and health promotion efforts. Understanding these dynamics is essential for critically assessing current policies and developing effective, evidence‑informed recommendations  health promotion  across a range of populations and settings. Students will critically appraise health promotion policy and practice  at local, national and global levels. Students will compare and critically appraise the quality and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives across diverse populations.

The unit aims to teach students about the public health challenges that are shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and global forces. These forces influence not only the conditions in which populations live but also the design, priorities, and performance of health systems and health promotion efforts. Understanding these dynamics is essential for critically assessing current policies and developing effective, evidence‑informed recommendations

Students will have the opportunity for synchronous and asynchronous learning on this unit. Materials used during the in-person seminars will be supported by online resources on the VLE (Canvas).  

The e-learning resources will include discussion areas and non-assessed self-tests. There will be x10 weekly 2-hour seminars over the course of the unit, and students will be able to develop discussion from these sessions via the online discussion areas within the VLE.
 

Students will be able to:

A1 Critically consider political, economic and global influences on public health challenges and the effectiveness of health promotion efforts.

A2 Analyse how political systems, governance structures, and policy-making processes shape population health and health systems.

A3 Evaluate the roles, interests, and influence of key actors in health policy, including governments, industry, civil society, and international organisations such as the World Health Organization.

A4 Assess how political ideologies and policy choices influence the design, priorities, and performance of health systems and public health interventions.

A5 Examine how power, politics, and structural inequalities contribute to health disparities, drawing on frameworks such as the Social Determinants of Health.

A6 Apply and synthesise public health evidence to critically assess existing policies and develop informed policy or advocacy recommendations.
 

B1 Apply and synthesise public health evidence to critically assess existing policies and develop informed policy or advocacy recommendations.

C1 Synthesise and evaluate evidence relevant to public health practice

C2 Demonstrate autonomy and independent critique of public health strategies
 

Formative: Opportunity for draft submission (300 words). 

Summative: 2500 word written assignment - 100% weighting within unit. 

Students will recieve regular written and verbal feedback.

Stevens, A. (2007). . Oxford ; Radcliffe.

van Daalen KR, Davey F, Norman C et al (2021) BMJ Open

Boylan. M. (2023) ‘International public health policy and ethics’, 2nd edition, Switzerland, Springer.

Exworthy, M., Mannion, R. & Powell, M. (eds) (2023) ‘The NHS at 75: the state of UK health policy’, Bristol, Policy Press

Corbin, J. et al. (2021) ‘Arts and Health Promotion: Tools and Bridges for Practice, Research and Social Transformation’, Springer Nature

Kooko, S. & Baybutt, M. (eds) (2022) ‘Handbook of settings-based health promotion’, Switzerland, Springer

Mittelmark, M.B. (2022) ‘Handbook of Salutogenesis’, Springer Nature

Potvin, L., & Didier, J. (eds) (2022) ‘Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research’, volume 1, Switzerland, Springer

Thompson, S.R. (2023) ‘The essential guide to Public Health and Health Promotion’ (2nd edition) London, Routledge.

Wills, J. & Naidoo, J. (2023) ‘Foundations for Health Promotion’, 5th edition, Amsterdam, Elsevier