VISA2403 Social Determinants of Health

2021

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly

1k Admission into BEDSBA-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts
1l Admission into BEDSBHS-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Health Sciences
1m Admission into BEDSBSC-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Science
1n Admission into BEDMSSEBDS-B Education (Middle & Secondary/Special Ed), B Disability Studies
1 Admission into BEDMSSBA-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Arts
1a Admission into BEDMSSBHS-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Health Sciences
1b Admission into BEDMSSBSC-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Science
1c Admission into BEDPRBA-Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Arts
1d Admission into BEDECBA-Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts
1e Admission into BHS-Bachelor of Health Sciences
1f Admission into BEDJPBA-Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary), Bachelor of Arts
1g Admission into BEDJPBSC-Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary), Bachelor of Science
1h Admission into BEDMSBA-Bachelor of Education (Middle School), Bachelor of Arts
1i Admission into BEDMSBHS-Bachelor of Education (Middle School), Bachelor of Health Sciences
1j Admission into BEDMSBSC-Bachelor of Education (Middle School), Bachelor of Science
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j or 1k or 1l or 1m or 1n))

HLPE1504 has been successfully completed

Literature review; Essay Prompt; Tutorial reading notes

Wilkinson and Marmot's identification of ten social determinants of health in 1998 has provided a paradigm for public health and health promotion research and practice into the 21st Century. This topic provides an introduction to the social determinants of health through a history of ideas about public health and health promotion practice. Students will develop their knowledge of current issues in health promotion in Australia and internationally. Through investigations of research literature and relevant case studies, students will acquire an understanding of the dimensions of health promotion practice which is informed by a social determinants approach. Particular attention will be given to inequity in health across population groups and the policies required for health enhancing social change. Policy processes and the role of communities in policy development will be emphasised.

The aim of the topic is to:

• introduce students to the social determinants of health as a conceptual framework for public health and health promotion practice
• develop students' knowledge of current issues in health promotion in Australia and internationally, how those issues are understood in the literature and the kinds of health promotion practice such understandings generate
• enable students to critique health promotion practice from a social determinants perspective

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• outline ideas and theories that have informed public health and health promotion in the past
• describe the social determinants of health and how they were derived
• articulate the health promotion practices a social determinants approach requires
• identify current health issues in Australia and internationally
• describe the health promotion strategies adopted to address these issues and their effectiveness
• describe the role of public policy in a social determinants approach
• demonstrate the ability to engage in health promotion that works with rather than on people
• demonstrate knowledge of projects promoting the health of specific population groups: such as children, elders, Indigenous peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse peoples, refugees, young men and young women
• critique current health promotion practice from a social determinants perspective