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 introduces how epidemiology is applied in the practice of public health. Students will learn how epidemiological approaches and data can be used to inform the development of prevention strategies, assess the health needs of a population, monitor the occurrence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health strategies. We will cover topics such as comparing high-risk strategies versus population approaches to prevention, the strengths and weaknesses of population screening to detect early cases of disease, the attributes of a good surveillance system, and study designs that can be used to evaluate the impact of public health interventions.
By the end of this paper, students will have skills to assess and monitor the burden of ill-health caused by diseases in a population, what approaches can be used to prevent or control these diseases, and how to assess whether these strategies have been successful.
| Paper title | Prevention and Control of Disease in Populations |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PUBH732 |
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points 15 points 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (8 July 2019 - 23 August 2019), 1st Non standard period (8 July 2019 - 23 August 2019), 1st Non standard period (8 July 2019 - 23 August 2019) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,400.75 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,934.75 |
- Restriction
- PUBH 701
- Limited to
- MA, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGCertPH
- Recommended Preparation
- PUBH 711
- Notes
- This paper runs for the first half of second semester.
- Eligibility
- Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised
equivalent.
It is strongly recommended that students complete PUBH 711 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- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Wellington Campus: Professor Richard Edwards (Overall Convenor)
Christchurch Campus: Dr Phil Hider
Dunedin Campus: Dr Lianne Parkin- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Prevention
- Measures of Health
- Uses of Data
- Surveillance
- Screening
- Evaluation
Assessment:
- Assignment: 50%
- Exam: 50%
- Teaching Arrangements
Tuesday mornings, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Information literacy,
Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- The goals of the paper are to
- Review approaches to the prevention of disease in populations
- Measure and summarise the health of a population
- Evaluate public health methods of disease control
