Overview
Covers multiple factors that influence human health, how social structure and social change influence health outcomes, how public health and health promotion intervention address poor health outcomes and health inequalities.
In this paper, students will gain an appreciation of the history of public health and health promotion, both internationally and in New Zealand. They will develop knowledge and skill in analysing the determinants of health and health inequalities, including the role of social and political processes. Students will explore strategies for change and gain knowledge and skill in using health promotion concepts and frameworks to promote health.
About this paper
| Paper title | Society, Health and Health Promotion |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 6 November 2026)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 6 November 2026) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 6 November 2026) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,743.38 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MHealSc, MPH, 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- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Wellington Campus and overall convenor: Professor Louise Signal
Christchurch Campus: Dr Helen Fitt
Dunedin Campus: Kim Cousins
- Paper Structure
- Introducing society, health and health promotion; the concepts of health, health equity, and health determinants
- Determinants of health and health inequities
- The history of public health
- Global and economic change
- Social change
- Action to promote health
- Textbooks
Baum (2016) The New Public Health. 4th ed, Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of what determines health outcomes and health inequities
- Apply understanding of the role of institutions and social processes to at least one key determinant of health
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of public health and health promotion philosophies and practices to improve, promote and protect public health
- Demonstrate understanding of Māori models of health and frameworks for intervention
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1: 40%
- Assignment 2: 60%
Overview
Covers multiple factors that influence human health, how social structure and social change influence health outcomes, how public health and health promotion intervention address poor health outcomes and health inequalities.
In this paper, students will gain an appreciation of the history of public health and health promotion, both internationally and in New Zealand. They will develop knowledge and skill in analysing the determinants of health and health inequalities, including the role of social and political processes. Students will explore strategies for change and gain knowledge and skill in using health promotion concepts and frameworks to promote health.
About this paper
| Paper title | Society, Health and Health Promotion |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (13 September 2027 - 5 November 2027)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (13 September 2027 - 5 November 2027) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (13 September 2027 - 5 November 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MHealSc, MPH, 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- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Wellington Campus and Overall Convener: Professor Louise Signal
Christchurch Campus: Dr Helen Fitt
Dunedin Campus: Kim Cousins
- Paper Structure
- Introducing society, health and health promotion; the concepts of health, health equity, and health determinants
- Determinants of health and health inequities
- The history of public health
- Global and economic change
- Social change
- Action to promote health
- Textbooks
- Baum (2016) The New Public Health. 4th ed, Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of what determines health outcomes and health inequities
- Apply understanding of the role of institutions and social processes to at least one key determinant of health
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of public health and health promotion philosophies and practices to improve, promote and protect public health
- Demonstrate understanding of Māori models of health and frameworks for intervention
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1: 40%
- Assignment 2: 60%