Ecological Public Health

Module title	Ecological Public Health
Module code	HPDM032
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Tim Taylor (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	9	0	0

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

In the context of public health, ecological thinking considers the multiple complex interactions between humans and their environment and the health impacts. This module introduces the core concepts and principles of contemporary public health. Threats to health, based on population health analysis, are considered along with informed health decision making to prevent disease and promote health.

No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this module, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. Delivery is via four focused days of expert-led small group learning, interspersed by personal study undertaken at your own pace and supported by our internet resources.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By undertaking this module you will develop a critical insight of ecological public health and the relationship of health and healthcare systems with the environment in its broadest sense. The module aims to equip individuals with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills to protect and improve health and address inequalities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate critical appraisal of the contemporary theories and concepts that underpin the environmental and social determinants of health and health inequalities
2. Explain and apply approaches that can be employed to measure and improve population health

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Demonstrate originality in the assessment of the ecological public health of a population

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Communicate accurately and effectively a contemporary evidence base

Syllabus plan

Defining ecological public health

Measuring and improving health, including the social determinants of health and health inequalities

Epidemiology and population health across the lifespan

Screening, behaviour change and personal & organisational resilience

Health policy and practice within the NHS

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
20	130	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	20	All student taught sessions. Face-to-face scheduled lectures may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos for each topic (15-20 minutes) and/or brief overview lectures delivered via MS Teams/Zoom, with learning consolidated by self-directed learning resources and ELE activities. - Small-group discussion in tutorials and seminars may be replaced by synchronous group discussion on Teams/ Zoom; or asynchronous online discussion, for example via Yammer or ELE Discussion board - Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum
Guided independent study	30	Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on ELE
Guided independent study	100	Reading and assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Class discussions and small group work activities	Each taught session	1-4	Facilitator and peer feedback in class. Feedback may be provided via synchronous or asynchronous online discussion.
Public health briefing (written)	350 words	1,2,4	Written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Public health report	100	2000 words	1-4	Written
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Written assignment public health report (100%)	Written assignment public health report (2000 words)	1-4	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Donaldson L and Scally G. (2009). Donaldsons' Essential Public Health. 3rd Revised Edition London: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.

Kessel A. (2010). Air, the environment and public health. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lopez RP. (2011). The built environment and public health. Jossey Bass.

Marmot M. (2010). Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review. London: University College London. http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/projects/fair-society-healthy-lives-the-marmot-review

Marmot M. (2015) The Health Gap, Bloomsbury, London.

NHS Scotland. (2010). Environment and Health in an era of ecological public health.

NHS Scotland. (2010). Good Places: Better Health.

Rayner G and Lang T. (2012). Ecological Public Health. Oxon: Routledge.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE : HPDM032 2020/21 Module Pages

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

An up to date reading list of journal articles will be provided on ELE.

Key words search

Ecological public health, public health, health, human health, population health, promotion, screening, epidemiology, environment, resilience, behaviour change.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	15/12/2015
Last revision date	13/05/2020