Module Aims 

This module aims to support students’ learning about the process of policy-making, with specific focus on: public health policy, the role that politicians and other key actors plays in shaping public health policies, and how framing of public health issues importantly affects public and political acceptability. It will also help students to understand the social, political, economic and historical factors that influence health policy. 

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to: 

1. identify important public health problems and critically discuss the policy solutions that have been, and have the potential to be, implemented to tackle these issues 

2. critically discuss the political ideologies that seek to describe the state-individual relationship and underpin a government’s approach to public health policies 

3. describe the policy-making process – agenda setting, policy formation, implementation and evaluation, and critically apply health policy analysis frameworks to evaluate the policy process 

4. describe the roles of key stakeholders (e.g. government and its agencies, scientific experts, public health experts, 3^rd sector, industry and the media) in the development of public health policy 

5. define the ways in which context influences policymaking, and employ systems thinking when developing and evaluating public health policy 

6. identify the principle means by which scientific evidence can influence policymakers and policy content and the challenges of getting research evidence into policy 

7. critically apply appropriate theories, concepts and evidence to the analysis of issues, debates and initiatives within contemporary health policy, and present resulting analyses clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing 

Pre-requisites

• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Public Health
• Research Skills
• Health Economics

Teaching strategy

Teaching and learning will take place via a mix of lectures, group work and class discussions with teacher and student-led input. This mix will provide a substantive knowledge base while encouraging students to critically explore the issues in depth. Some reading may be required prior to some sessions. The module includes a series of case studies which are used to illustrate key points. Teaching sessions are supplemented by self-directed study and self-directed group work.. 

Assessment

Students are required to submit an individual written assignment of 1500 words, in the form of a policy briefing. The policy briefing will be written from the standpoint of a public health adviser to an organisation outside the government sector (e.g. an advocacy organisation, lobby group, specialty body, etc.), in any country, who is trying to get an evidence-informed policy change onto the public policy agenda. 

Module Length and Dates

4½ days