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    Overview

    An introduction to the relationship between human wellbeing and environmental sustainability in New Zealand and globally. Sustainability frameworks, environmental health determinants and environmental relationships to health inequalities are integrated throughout.

    The quality of our physical living environment is fundamental to human survival and quality of life. Human habitats have changed radically over time, and the built environment now dominates. At the same time, humans have been changing global ecosystems in unprecedented ways, with far-reaching implications for public health. This paper provides an introduction to the links between human habitats, environmental sustainability and human well-being. It introduces students to theoretical and methodological knowledge; skills for undertaking integrative research and decision making; and tools for communicating with a variety of audiences. Links with Māori well-being, as well as links with health and social inequalities, are integrated throughout.

    About this paper

    Paper title Environment and Health
    Subject Public Health
    EFTS 0.125
    Points 15 points
    Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024) (On campus)
    1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024) (On campus)
    1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024) (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,551.63
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    MA, MHealSc, MPH, MSc, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
    Eligibility
    Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
    Contact

    Wellington Campus: publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
    Christchurch Campus: publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
    Dunedin Campus: publichealth.dunedin@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Wellington Campus: Dr Caroline Shaw

    Christchurch Campus: Dr Angela Curl (Overall Convenor)

    Dunedin Campus: Dr Alex Macmillan

    Paper Structure

    Topics:

    1. Introduction to environmental health; ecosystem health frameworks
    2. Policy and regulatory frameworks for environmental health and sustainability
    3. Methods for integrating health, equity and sustainability
    4. Communicating science and effecting environmental health change
    5. Cities, transport and housing; local field trip
    6. Energy systems and human well-being; climate change

    Assessment:

    • Assignment 1 - 50%
    • Assignment 2 - 50%
    • Two in class assessments that are compulsory for terms
    Teaching Arrangements

    Wednesday mornings: 9:00am - 12:30pm

    One full-day field trip on Wednesday 29 May 12:30-4:30pm

    Textbooks
    Required text: Frumkin, H (ed), Environmental Health. From Global to Local. John Wiley and Sons.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

    • Apply a range of theoretical, research and practice tools to analyse the environmental determinants of public health, including for Māori well-being and health inequities
    • Assess the optimal public health responses to important current environmental health and sustainability issues
    • Take action on the environmental determinants of health, from a public health perspective, within the global and national legislative structures governing environmental sustainability and resource management

    Timetable

    1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Moodle

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Wednesday 09:00-12:50 18-21, 23

    Workshop

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Wednesday 09:00-11:50 22
    Wednesday 13:00-16:50 22

    1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024)

    Location
    Wellington
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Moodle

    1st Non standard period (29 April 2024 - 28 June 2024)

    Location
    Christchurch
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Moodle
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