VTPEH 6102 - Public Health Foundations II

(CU-ITL, CU-SBY)

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: VTPEH 6101. Enrollment limited to: MPH students, graduate and professional students and seniors by permission of instructor.

A. Safi, I. Weisfuse.

This course is rooted in a systems perspective. It connects behavioral theory to practice, so that students understand the complex array of factors that influence health. It provides a foundation in drivers of human behavior, which will ultimately help students better understand why a particular situation exists. The course also builds necessary background knowledge and skill that will aid in designing tailored, effective, culturally informed interventions. This course will reinforce and expand upon learning from Public Health Foundations I by addressing drivers of health and behavior, including individual, family, environmental, legal, institutional, cultural, and climate change. Conceptually, the course is guided by the Health Impact Pyramid, social determinants of health - with a particular emphasis on racism, discrimination and inequality - and an expanded socio-ecologic model. We draw on a lifecourse perspective, with particular attention to generational and cumulative impacts on populations. Through lectures, guided in-class activities, readings, discussion, guest speakers and case studies, students will further develop their public health competence and apply key concepts and systems thinking to assess domestic and global public health issues.