Overview
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.
About this paper
| Paper title | Using Epidemiology in Public Health Practice |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 2026)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 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, 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 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: Melissa McLeod
Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Phil Hider
Dunedin Campus: To be confirmed
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Health-related data and public health surveillance
- Measures of health
- Prevention
- Screening
- Evaluation
- Public Health Unit visit
- 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.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment: 50%
- Exam: 50%
Timetable
Overview
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.
About this paper
| Paper title | Using Epidemiology in Public Health Practice |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 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, 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 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: Associate Professor Ruth Cunningham
Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Phil Hider (Overall Convener)
Dunedin Campus: Professor Patricia Priest
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Health-related data and public health surveillance
- Measures of health
- Prevention
- Screening
- Evaluation
- Public Health Unit visit
- 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.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment: 50%
- Exam: 50%