Module Aims

The module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of wider determinants of health (i.e. the social structures, institutions and relationships that affect health), including what these are, how they are measured, how they relate to health, and potential mechanisms responsible for these relationships. The module builds on core teaching in Term 1, and makes use of quantitative and qualitative research examples. 

Module Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe key examples of inequalities in health
2. Select appropriate measures of social determinants of health
3. Discuss the implications of social determinants of health for understanding public health problems and their solutions
4. Examine theories linking social determinants to health
5. Understand basic GIS software functions for data visualisation
6. Apply basic GIS skills to conduct an epidemiological analysis.

Pre-requisites

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

Teaching Strategy

The module is delivered using a combination of lectures, small-group exercises, class discussions and computer practicals. 

Assessment

Critical appraisal of a study exploring the social and spatial determinants of health.   

Module Length

4 days