University of Michigan-Flint

Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of public health and its importance for an engaged citizen.  The public health workforce and the organization of public health systems which protect and improve community health by the prevention, detection and treatment of disease. Topics include health disparities, public health preparedness, global health.

Analysis of quantitative data from biological sources, using basic statistical procedures to elucidate biological phenomena. Mathematical derivations and probabilistic theory not stressed; emphasis on the selection and interpretation of statistical tests commonly used by biologists. Prior knowledge of statistics not necessary.

Basic concepts and tools necessary to describe and understand how diseases are distributed in populations. Levels of prevention, risk factors, and study designs emphasized.

Issues in public health from a global perspective. Diseases and health conditions common to developing countries and factors which affect them, including epidemiology and social, economic and political considerations. Identification of appropriate interventions for improving health conditions in the developing world. Global burden of disease, current measurement issues of health and disability and the impact of diminishing resources on health and patterns of AIDS and other diseases of pandemic proportion are addressed.

Interdisciplinary capstone requiring active learning, critiquing, applying acquired academic knowledge while addressing major issues; researching and selecting data; analyzing, applying knowledge; developing creative workable solutions that are intellectually defensible. Includes logic models, program planning, system analysis, self evaluation, a health improvement grant proposal and formal presentation.

Systematic approach to the understanding of and control measures for the major environmental health problems of the twenty-first century in industrialized and developing countries. Reviews health issues, explores basic scientific understandings of causes, and examines current and possible future approaches to control.

Introduction to the nature of work-related disease and injuries in the United States. Noise, radiation, ergonomic, biological and chemical hazards discussed in terms of recognition, assessment, and control of workplace hazards. Current regulations, standards, personal protective equipment, monitoring equipment, and career opportunities.

The complex and dynamic relationships between social environment and health; how social determinants and socioeconomic resources impact health and health inequity; distribution of wealth and power in both health and health care; potential interventions to address inequities.  Social integration, gradient, position, and capital; place and neighborhood; discrimination.

Historical and contemporary developments in public health as a framework for administration of public health practice.  Organization and development of the public health delivery system, law and ethics in public health management, legislative reform, financing, human resources, use of public health data, information systems, disaster preparedness and surveillance.

Includes an introduction to medical terminology and disease processes to provide students with a framework for the public health curriculum.

Storage, retrieval, sharing, and optimal use of health-related information, data and knowledge for problem solving and decision making in a variety of health-related organizational settings.  Planning, selection, deployment and management of electronic medical records (EMR), management decision support and tracking systems (DSS), and other health information technologies.

Students demonstrate mastery of public health coursework through application to real world public health challenges in selected applied settings.

Provides a framework for students to apply and integrate public health knowledge to address public health problems.