Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/health-protection

Introduction

### Course Review: Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection If you're seeking to deepen your understanding of public health and health protection, look no further than the “Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection” course offered by Imperial College London on Coursera. As the fourth installment of the broader Foundations of Public Health Practice specialization within their Global Master of Public Health (MPH), this course is meticulously designed to blend academic rigor with practical insights grounded in real-world experience. #### Overview The course's curriculum has been crafted by an esteemed team of academics and practitioners, ensuring a rich learning experience that draws from both theoretical and practical knowledge. Throughout the course, you'll engage with a variety of multimedia resources, including short video lectures, practitioner interviews, and interactive activities, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of health protection principles. ### Course Structure & Syllabus The course is divided into three key modules that collectively cover various aspects of health protection: #### Module One: Water, Sanitation, and Infectious Diseases This module sets the stage by examining water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, which are critical in preventing infectious diseases. Learners will be introduced to basic microbiology concepts essential for effective communicable disease control, creating a strong foundation for subsequent topics. #### Module Two: Vaccines and Management of Communicable Disease In this module, the focus shifts toward vaccines and their pivotal role in public health. Detailed analyses of the evidence supporting vaccine effectiveness will be complemented by discussions on global vaccination initiatives and the ethical considerations surrounding mandatory vaccination policies. This segment effectively combines scientific knowledge with practical management strategies for health protection incidents, reinforcing learners' understanding of comprehensive communicable disease control. #### Module Three: Environmental Hazards and Strategic Health Protection Threats The final module addresses non-communicable disease elements and strategic threats to health protection. Through exploring environmental hazards, particularly air quality concerns exemplified by London's Ultra Low Emission Zone, and case studies such as the Fukushima Daiichi incident, learners will grasp the complexities of public health responses to major incidents and emergency situations. ### Why Enroll? The “Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection” course is not merely an academic endeavor; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in vital public health practices that shape the well-being of communities. Whether you're a public health professional, a student in the field, or simply a curious learner interested in global health issues, this course delivers significant value: - **Real-World Relevance**: The integration of practitioner insights and case studies ensures that learners understand the relevance of their education in real-world scenarios. - **Comprehensive Curriculum**: The modules cover an extensive range of topics relevant to contemporary public health challenges, providing a holistic view of health protection strategies. - **Engaging Learning Format**: The course embraces a variety of learning formats, making it accessible and engaging for a wide audience. #### Conclusion and Recommendation If you're committed to making a difference in public health and eager to enhance your knowledge on health protection strategies, the “Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection” course is an excellent choice. Its solid foundation in both theory and practice, coupled with engaging content, makes it a highly recommended course for anyone looking to excel in the public health domain. Enroll today on Coursera and take a significant step towards becoming an informed advocate for health protection!

Syllabus

Module One: Water, sanitation and infectious diseases

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This first module, entitled "Water, sanitation and infectious diseases" introduces learners to WASH-based initiatives before, in the second lesson, bringing learners up to speed on basic microbiology and the science that underpins communicable disease control.

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This second module, entitled "Vaccines and communicable disease control" will cover the science and practice of vaccines. In the first lesson learners are introduced to the evidence-base and impact that vaccines have had on morbidity globally. Some of the main global players are also introduced before discussion of the ethical implications of mandatory vaccination (building on learning from the first course of this specialisation "The Public Health Approach"). Bringing all of the learning on this course together, the second lesson introduces communicable disease control and the management of health protection incidents.

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This third module, entitled "Environmental hazards and strategic health protection threats" examines the non-communicable disease elements of health protection - with an introduction to CBRN and exploration of the public health approach in the context of major incidents and health emergencies. In the first lesson learners are introduced to the emerging public health topic of air quality: with specific exploration of the collision of circumstances leading to London's Ultra Low Emission Zone. The second lesson moves into CBRN with a case study of the Fukushima Daiichi radiological incident of 2011.