Overview
Principles of protecting human health from environmental hazards and application to environmental health practice in New Zealand. Strong emphasis on developing conceptual, analytical and field-based skills for health protection.
This paper covers the principles of health protection (HP) and their application to environmental health practice in New Zealand. Topics studied include: an overview of the important environmental hazards and diseases affecting New Zealand and our region; water and air quality; food safety; indoor and work environments; infectious disease control; and environmental health emergencies. There will be a strong emphasis on developing critical skills for HP, including: environmental epidemiology; risk assessment and management; basic toxicology; HP law; HP practice to reduce health inequalities; HP indicators; public health surveillance; outbreak investigation; cluster investigation; emergency management; environmental research methods; and effective use of evidence.
About this paper
| Paper title | Health Protection |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 17 April 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| 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, MSc, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Notes
- Includes one field day in Wellington.
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Department of Public Health, Wellington campus: publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Professor Michael Baker (Overall Convener)
Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard- Paper Structure
Individual sessions will include coverage of:
- Introductory concepts - the nature of HP, hazard and risk
- Applying a systematic approach to HP threats and opportunities
- HP practice at the national level in NZ
- HP practice at the local level (field trip)
- HP in outdoor environments
- HP in the workplace
- HP in the home
- Infectious diseases and HP
- Teaching Arrangements
The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
Distance taught - Monday afternoon webinar sessions, 4pm - 6pm.
Compulsory, a full-day field trip in Wellington, Monday March 2, 8:30am - 5:30pm.
- Textbooks
Reading lists are provided for all sessions via Moodle. They include some specific chapters from the textbook: Frumkin, 2016. Environmental Health: from local to global.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- 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 will:
- Understand the principles of health protection practice, environmental epidemiology and environmental health risk assessment and management, with particular reference to New Zealand's HP framework.
- Understand and apply the major tools available to prevent or minimise environmental hazards and diseases.
- Understand and apply the major HP tools available to control and respond to important environmental health hazards and associated diseases.
- Assessment details
Assessments:
- One assignment (in two parts) - 50%
- Five webinar-based quiz assessments - 50%
Overview
Principles of protecting human health from environmental hazards and application to environmental health practice in New Zealand. Strong emphasis on developing conceptual, analytical and field-based skills for health protection.
This paper covers the principles of health protection (HP) and their application to environmental health practice in New Zealand. Topics studied include: an overview of the important environmental hazards and diseases affecting New Zealand and our region; water and air quality; food safety; indoor and work environments; infectious disease control, and environmental health emergencies. There will be a strong emphasis on developing critical skills for HP, including: environmental epidemiology; risk assessment and management; basic toxicology; HP law; HP practice to reduce health inequalities; HP indicators; public health surveillance; outbreak investigation; cluster investigation; emergency management; environmental research methods, and effective use of evidence.
About this paper
| Paper title | Health Protection |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 30 April 2027) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| 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, MSc, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Notes
- Includes one field day in Wellington.
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Department of Public Health (Wellington Campus) : publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Overall Convener: Professor Michael Baker
- Paper Structure
Individual sessions will include coverage of:
- Introductory concepts - the nature of HP, hazard and risk
- Applying a systematic approach to HP threats and opportunities
- HP practice at the national level in NZ
- HP practice at the local level (field trip)
- HP in outdoor environments
- HP in the workplace
- HP in the home
- Infectious diseases and HP
- Teaching Arrangements
The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
Distance taught - Monday afternoon webinar sessions, 4:00pm - 6:00pm.
Full-day field trip in Wellington, Monday 8 March (please confirm date with administrator), 8:30 - 5:30pm. Virtual alternative available for students outside Wellington Region not able to travel.
- Textbooks
Reading lists are provided for all sessions via Aoroa. They include some specific chapters from the textbook: Frumkin, 2016. Environmental Health: from local to global.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- 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 will:
- Understand the principles of health protection practice, environmental epidemiology and environmental health risk assessment and management, with particular reference to New Zealand's HP framework.
- Understand and apply the major tools available to prevent or minimise environmental hazards and diseases.
- Understand and apply the major HP tools available to control and respond to important environmental health hazards and associated diseases.
- Assessment details
Assessments:
- One assignment (in two parts) - 50%
- Five webinar-based quiz assessments - 50%