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PUBH732 Using Epidemiology in Public Health Practice

Summarising the health of a population, methods to monitor and prevent disease in populations and the evaluation of public health approaches to controlling disease.

This paper will provide an introduction to the ways in which epidemiology can be applied to prevent and control disease in populations. Aspects of disease prevention and control that will be considered include the collection of health-related data and public health surveillance; the use of epidemiological data to assess, and compare, the health status of populations; strategies which can be used to prevent disease in populations; important considerations in relation to screening programmes, methods to evaluate the impact of various prevention and control strategies, and prevention and control activities undertaken by Public Health Units.

Paper title Using Epidemiology in Public Health Practice
Paper code PUBH732
Subject Public Health
EFTS 0.125
Points 15 points
Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023) (On campus)
1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023) (On campus)
1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $1,509.38
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Limited to
MA, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGCertPH
Recommended Preparation
PUBH 711
Eligibility

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.

It is strongly recommended that students complete PUBH711 before commencing this paper.

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: Professor Richard Edwards

Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Phil Hider

Dunedin Campus: Associate Professor Andy Anglemyer

Paper Structure

Topics:

  1. Health-related data and public health surveillance
  2. Measures of health
  3. Prevention
  4. Screening
  5. Evaluation
  6. Public Health Unit visit

Assessment:

  • Assignment: 50%
  • Exam: 50%
Teaching Arrangements

Tuesday mornings, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Textbooks

Webb P, Bain C, Page A. Essential Epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2019.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

On completion of this paper, students should be able to:

  • Describe, use, and interpret basic measures to assess and compare the health of populations using available data.
  • Describe and critically discuss the application of epidemiological tools to measure, monitor, and control disease in populations.
  • Describe and critically discuss epidemiological approaches to evaluate the impact of public health interventions.

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Timetable

1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023)

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

1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023)

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

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Tuesday 09:00-11:50 28-33

1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 3 September 2023)

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