Grade 15 - Health Science

Public Health: Discovering the Big Picture in Health Care (Credit: 0.50)

In this course, we discuss the multiple definitions of public health and the ways that these definitions are put into practice. We explore the five core disciplines and the ways that they interact to reduce disease, injury and death in populations. By understanding the roles of public health, we are able to gain a greater appreciation for its importance and the various occupations that one could pursue within the field of public health. Unit 1 introduces the definition of public health and provides a description that allows you to differentiate public health from other health care fields. The five core disciplines and the interactions between local, state, and federal organizations are also discussed. The history of public health concludes the introductory unit. Unit 2 focuses on specific information regarding the core disciplines of behavioral science and emergency preparedness and response. Unit 3 takes a detailed look at epidemiology and biostatistics. Unit 4 relates to environmental and occupational health issues. Finally, Unit 5 describes global health and the future of public health.