Foundations of Public Health Practice: The Public Health Approach

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/foundations-public-health-approach

Introduction

### Course Review: Foundations of Public Health Practice: The Public Health Approach **Overview** If you're looking to grasp the essentials of public health and want to be equipped with the foundational knowledge necessary to impact population health positively, look no further than "Foundations of Public Health Practice: The Public Health Approach," offered by Imperial College London on Coursera. This course marks the beginning of the Foundations of Public Health Practice specialization within the Global Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Developed by a collaborative team of skilled academics and seasoned practitioners, the curriculum reflects both extensive real-world experience and profound academic insight. The course is designed for individuals at all stages of their public health journey—whether you're a newcomer eager to understand the field or a seasoned professional seeking to deepen your understanding of the principles that guide public health practice. **Course Structure and Syllabus** The course comprises four informative modules that methodically introduce learners to the core principles and considerations of public health: 1. **Module 1: The Public Health Approach** Here, you'll dive into the principles that underpin public health practice. The module introduces critical frameworks, settling on a hybrid model that encompasses health improvement, health protection, healthcare public health, and health intelligence. A brief history of public health provides context, while contrasting public health ethics with those of traditional biomedicine offers a thoughtful exploration of the moral considerations in the field. 2. **Module 2: The Wider Determinants of Health** This module expands your perspective, highlighting the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors that shape individual and population health. You'll learn about the vital differences between equality and equity, emphasizing the crucial goal of combating health inequalities. 3. **Module 3: Prevention and Early Identification** This segment captures the essence of prevention strategies and early identification approaches, focusing on building resilience and effective screening techniques. The exploration of strategic and policy planning reveals the skills necessary for aspiring public health professionals. 4. **Module 4: Politics and Policy in Public Health** The final module brings together the knowledge gained from the previous sections, delving into the political landscapes that affect public health initiatives. You'll examine the dynamics of stakeholder engagement and the navigation of various external influences, enhancing your understanding of the art of public health. **Interactive Elements** The course employs a mix of engaging short video lectures, insightful practitioner interviews, and interactive assignments, ensuring that the learning experience is enriched by diverse formats. The blend of theory and practice creates a holistic understanding of the multifaceted public health landscape. **Recommendation** I highly recommend "Foundations of Public Health Practice: The Public Health Approach" to anyone interested in public health, whether for professional development or personal enrichment. The course not only provides a thorough introduction to the principles and practices of public health but also instills a critical awareness of the broader context affecting health outcomes. The expert guidance from academic leaders and practitioners gives the course credibility and relevance, assuring that students are presented with up-to-date information and practical insights. Furthermore, Coursera’s user-friendly platform allows for flexible learning, making it accessible to individuals with varying schedules. Overall, this course is an excellent stepping stone for anyone aspiring to engage meaningfully in public health, equipping learners with both foundational knowledge and skills applicable in real-world contexts. Enroll today to start your journey in public health and emerge with the tools necessary to make a difference in communities around the world.

Syllabus

Welcome to the course and Module 1: The public health approach

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This first module, entitled "Principles of Public Health Practice" introduces learners to the scope, origins and ethics of public health. The module begins reviewing different frameworks of public health that have been used, settling on a hybrid model comprising four domains: health improvement, health protection, healthcare public health and health intelligence. And this sets the scene and structure for the remainder of the specialisation. Learners are then taken through a very rapid and concise history of public health, before contrasting ideas of public health ethics with those of more traditional biomedicine.

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This second module, entitled "The Wider Determinants of Health" introduces the wider determinants paradigm: a very different and much broader world-view that recognises much more of the socio-cultural, economic and environmental influences on population and individual health. We introduce learners to the differing ideas of equality and equity and the centrality of combating health inequalities.

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This third module, entitled "Prevention and Early Identification" formalises understanding of prevention, early identification, resilience and screening. We also begin to explore ideas of strategy and policy and the skills needed for the aspiring professional.

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This fourth and final module builds on the knowledge and understanding established in the prior three modules. This module focuses on the art of public health: examining how we work in political environments, with stakeholders and where a myriad of external influences and personal ideology combine.