PBH 101 - Introduction to Public Health

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Gain an overview of the principles of population health. Learn what determines disease and disability, how evidence is used to quantify the burden of disease, and how health professionals, the public health system and governmental structures contribute to the development of strategies for protecting health and reducing disease and disability.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A .

Note: Typically offered at MC and OL; fall, spring, and summer terms.

Course Outcomes:
1.   Identify eras in the historical development of public health and ways that public health affects daily life.
2.   Compare public health professions and pathways and assess how they fit students’ personal attributes, skills and interests.
3.   Describe the basic principles of epidemiology, including rates, risk factors, disease determinants, causation and public health surveillance.
4.   Explain how public health utilizes information, interventions, policy, law, and communication to improve the health of populations.
5.   Explain how public health can utilize social and behavioral interventions to improve health of populations.
6.   Explain the impact of the environment and communicable diseases on the health of populations.
7.   Explain the burden of chronic diseases on morbidity and mortality and approaches to prevention and early detection
8.   Describe the basic organization of public health systems and their role in public health emergencies.
9.   Identify the roles of public health in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and health disparities.
10.   Describe a variety of systems thinking frameworks in public health (such as One Health).