Accessibility Skip to Global Navigation Skip to Local Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Search Skip to Site Map Menu

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.

View the PUBH734 - Health Protection video for more information.

 

Paper title Health Protection
Paper code PUBH734
Subject Public Health
EFTS 0.125
Points 15 points
Teaching period 1st Non standard period (27 February 2023 - 30 April 2023) (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $1,509.38
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

^ Top of page

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

Teaching staff

Professor Michael Baker (Overall Convenor)
Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard

Paper Structure

Individual sessions will include coverage of:

  • Introductory concepts - the nature of HP, hazard and risk
  • Frameworks and methodologies
  • HP practice in New Zealand
  • HP in outdoor environments
  • HP in the workplace
  • HP in the home
  • Infectious diseases and HP

Assessments:

  • One assignment (in two parts) - 50%
  • Five webinar-based quiz assessments - 50%
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, full-day field trip in Wellington, Monday March 6, 8:30am – 5:30pm.

Textbooks

Text to be confirmed. Please contact the Department: publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz

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 environmental health 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.

^ Top of page

Timetable

1st Non standard period (27 February 2023 - 30 April 2023)

Location
Wellington
Teaching method
This paper is taught through Distance Learning
Learning management system
Moodle