Unit Information
Unit code: HMG7220
Credit points: 12
This unit examines the contribution of the social sciences to understanding and improving public health. The influence of culture and society on beliefs, attitudes and behaviours around health and how these shape disease risk and health outcomes is critically appraised. Students will explore the complex relationships between gender, culture and health inequalities. The efficacy of policies and strategies to address such inequalities will be evaluated. Concepts such as cultural competence, cultural safety and cultural humility as they relate to public health practice will be examined. Students will evaluate effective communication strategies, for public health practice when working with diverse communities.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Evaluate theoretical frameworks which explain the influence of society and culture on health and access to health care and defend their application in known and unknown scenarios;
- Critically appraise efforts to address health inequalities through public health policies and programs, taking into account sociological and anthropological perspectives;
- Apply and justify the use of the varying terms relating to cultural perspectives, that inform public health practice directed at addressing health inequalities in diverse populations;
- Propose effective communication strategies for public health practitioners working with social groups in diverse cultures; and
- Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity.
| Item | Assessment | Graded | LO Alignment | Grad Caps Alignment |
| Other | Short article on social science perspectives in public health (500 words) | 10% | 2 | 1, 2, 3 |
| Report | Report on specific health inequality (2500 words) | 50% | 1, 2, 3 | 1, 2, 3 |
| Presentation | Presentation on cultural competence (10-12mins) | 40% | 1, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3 |
| Other | Evidence of completion of the Academic Integrity Modules (Hurdle) | 0% | 5 | 1, 2, 3 |
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