Type of course

Admission requirements

The course can be taken as a singular course by applicants who meet the academic admission criteria for the Master's program in Public Health.

Application code: 9371

Course content

The course "Introduction to Public Health" is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the broad field of public health (including environmental and occupational health) in the current global context, spanning over local, national, and international perspectives. You will gain an understanding of public health key concepts, principles, methodologies, and their role in promoting and protecting the health of populations. You will understand what characterize reliable scientific literature and resources in public health and be able to identify and search for relevant literature and have skills to critically evaluate scientific information. You can use effective learning techniques and plan for effective learning.

Focus: the study of the physical, psychosocial, and sociocultural determinants of population health, alongside initiatives to enhance health in these areas in the context of sustainability. This approach aims to foster a population-based understanding of health, how to implement health promotion and disease prevention grounded in legislation and evidence-based knowledge, shifting the focus from individual health issues to broader societal factors. The introductory course will lay the foundations and pave the way for a more in-depth study of areas of public and global health.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge and understanding

• Have in-depth knowledge of the concepts of health and understand the context and importance of public and global health and its relevance in a changing society including a sustainable approach.
• Advanced understanding of the relationship between culture, society and environment in public health and identify the impact on determinants of public health inequalities.
• Have thorough understanding of the impact of cultural factors on public health practices and outcomes.
• Understand and reflect on principles of ethics in public health (explain relevant aspects of consequentialist and non-consequentialist ethics).
• Comprehend the relationship between demographic structures and society, culture, and public/global health.
• Advanced understanding of core principles, concepts and behavioral theories related to health promotion and disease prevention
• Understand key international, national, and regional laws and regulations relevant to public health protection and promotion.

Skills and competences

• Explore and assess demographic data for public health assessments.
• Be able to identify significant causes and drivers of morbidity and mortality within specific populations and comprehend the notion of social, environmental and cultural determinants of health.
• Summarize evidence from various data sources with a critical approach in supporting public health practice, policy, and decision-making.
• Be able to discuss ethical dilemmas in health promotion and disease prevention and discuss public health issues based on sociocultural perspective on health and human rights.

General competences

• Act according to ethical standards, promoting professional accountability, social responsibility, and the public good.
• Develop and deliver presentations targeted at diverse audiences.
• Critically evaluate advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of various public health interventions, policies, and methodologies.
• Communicate academic knowledge through oral presentations and academic written text.
• Understand power structures in public global health and reflect on the concept of decolonization

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Information to incoming exchange students

Master's students studying public health from EUGLOH partner institutions, as well as those from institutions with an Erasmus or North2North agreement, are encouraged to attend this course.

Please see "Admission requirements" section.

Do you have questions about this exchange? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412