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    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 (8 July 2024 - 30 August 2024) (On campus)
    1st Non standard period (8 July 2024 - 30 August 2024) (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,551.63
    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

    Teaching staff

    Wellington Campus: Professor Richard Edwards

    Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Phil Hider

    Dunedin Campus: Professor Lianne Parkin

    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.

    Timetable

    1st Non standard period (8 July 2024 - 30 August 2024)

    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 29-33

    1st Non standard period (8 July 2024 - 30 August 2024)

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