Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection from Coursera

The Health Protection course is the fourth instalment of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation from Imperial College London's Global Master of Public Health (MPH). The scope and content of this course has been developed from the ground up by a combined team of academics and practitioners drawing on decades of real-world public health experience as well as deep academic knowledge. Through short video lectures, practitioner interviews and a wide range of interactive activities, learners will be immersed in the world of public health practice.

Designed for those new to the discipline, over three modules (intended for three weeks of learning), learners will become familiar with the scope, principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice. Beginning with the basics of Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) based interventions, the course will introduce learners to the science and principles of practical microbiology, before examining vaccines, incident management and the threat posed by a wide range of manmade and natural environmental threats. By the end of this course, learners will be familiar and conversant with core health protection principles and approaches, and confident in discussing health protection issues when they move into practice.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module One: Water, sanitation and infectious diseases

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This first module, entitled "Water, sanitation and infectious diseases" introduces learners to WASH-based initiatives before, in the second lesson, bringing learners up to speed on basic microbiology and the science that underpins communicable disease control.

Module Two: Vaccines and management of communicable disease

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This second module, entitled "Vaccines and communicable disease control" will cover the science and practice of vaccines. In the first lesson learners are introduced to the evidence-base and impact that vaccines have had on morbidity globally. Some of the main global players are also introduced before discussion of the ethical implications of mandatory vaccination (building on learning from the first course of this specialisation "The Public Health Approach"). Bringing all of the learning on this course together, the second lesson introduces communicable disease control and the management of health protection incidents.

Module Three: Environmental hazards and strategic health protection threats

This fourth course, "Health Protection", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the area of operational and strategic health protection. This third module, entitled "Environmental hazards and strategic health protection threats" examines the non-communicable disease elements of health protection - with an introduction to CBRN and exploration of the public health approach in the context of major incidents and health emergencies. In the first lesson learners are introduced to the emerging public health topic of air quality: with specific exploration of the collision of circumstances leading to London's Ultra Low Emission Zone. The second lesson moves into CBRN with a case study of the Fukushima Daiichi radiological incident of 2011.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for those new to the discipline, this course introduces the scope of public health practice, starting with the basics of interventions based on water, sanitation, and health

Delivered by academics and practitioners with decades of experience in public health and health protection

Instructs learners on how to discuss health protection issues in real-world practice

Involves a range of interactive activities in addition to short video lectures and practitioner interviews

Covers emerging public health issues such as air quality and radiological incidents

Prerequisites that may exist should be checked and planned for

Reviews summary

Well received public health course

Learners say this foundational public health course offers great information and is well presented. The course assignments leverage real-world experiences in scenarios and offer opportunities to develop valuable, practical skills.

Dr. Richard praised

"Dr. Richard has taught public health foundation with nice examples and overall it was a nice experience."

"I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to participate in a meaningful training course on the basics of public health. I extend my deepest appreciation to Dr. Richard J. Pinder for his professionalism and guidance throughout the course."

Develops applicable skills

"I felt confident in how to do the process by the time the course was complete."

Emphasizes real-world scenarios

"it was really exciting to hear stories from real-world health protection practitioners."

High quality course

"Very interesting and informative"

"Excellent course for present situation. Helped to develop skills."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection with these activities:

Review Communicable Disease Control Principles

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Reviewing communicable disease control principles will strengthen your foundation for understanding health protection measures.

Browse courses on Communicable Diseases

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Revisit concepts related to disease transmission, epidemiology, and outbreak investigation.
Explore current guidelines and recommendations for communicable disease control and prevention.

Review Basic Microbiology

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Reviewing basic microbiology concepts will provide a solid foundation for understanding the principles of health protection.

Browse courses on Microbiology

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Revisit key concepts from general microbiology, such as cell structure, growth, and metabolism.
Review the classification of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Explore the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and how microorganisms cause disease.

Read 'Environmental Health' by Howard Frumkin

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of environmental health principles and their application in practice.

View Making Healthy Places, Second Edition:... on Amazon

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Read chapters related to water and sanitation, air quality, and environmental hazards.
Summarize key concepts and identify their relevance to health protection practices.

Four other activities

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Volunteer at a Local Health Department

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Volunteering will provide hands-on experience in various aspects of health protection, such as disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.

Browse courses on Community Health

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Contact your local health department and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in community outreach programs, health screenings, or educational events.
Assist with data collection, reporting, or other tasks related to health protection activities.

Contribute to Open-Source Projects Related to Health Protection

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Contributing to open-source projects will enhance your technical skills and connect you with a community of experts in the field.

Browse courses on Public Health Informatics

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Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skillset.
Review the project documentation, contribute to discussions, and report any issues.
Make code contributions, such as fixing bugs, implementing new features, or improving documentation.

Practice Incident Management Simulations

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Engaging in simulations will enhance your ability to respond effectively to health emergencies and incidents.

Browse courses on Incident Management

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Participate in online or in-person simulations that mimic real-world health protection scenarios.
Analyze the situation, assess risks, and develop appropriate response strategies.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your response and identify areas for improvement.

Develop a Health Protection Plan for a Specific Hazard

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Creating a comprehensive plan will reinforce your understanding of the principles and components of health protection.

Browse courses on Risk Management

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Identify a specific hazard or threat that poses a risk to public health.
Research and gather data on the hazard, its potential impacts, and existing control measures.
Develop a detailed plan outlining strategies for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Share your plan with peers or mentors for feedback and refinement.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other health problems in populations. They design and conduct studies to identify risk factors for disease, and to develop and evaluate public health interventions to prevent and control disease. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research laboratories, and industry. Microbiologists use their knowledge of microorganisms to develop new drugs and vaccines, to diagnose and treat diseases, and to protect the environment. The training in basic microbiology and the science that underpins communicable disease control from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts study health policy and develop recommendations for improving the health of the public. They work in a variety of settings, including government, academia, and think tanks. Health Policy Analysts use their knowledge of health policy and public health to analyze the impact of different policies on the health of the population. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Water Treatment Plant Operators monitor and control the operation of water treatment plants, which clean and purify water for drinking and other purposes. They ensure that the water meets all applicable quality standards and is safe for public consumption. The training in water, sanitation, and infectious diseases from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Treatment Plant Operator

Public Health Planner

Public Health Planners develop and implement plans to improve the health of the public. They work with other public health professionals, community leaders, and government officials to identify health needs and to develop and implement programs to address those needs. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Planner

Health Inspector

Health Inspectors work to protect the public from environmental hazards. They inspect food establishments, water systems, and other public places to ensure that they meet health and safety standards. Health Inspectors also investigate complaints and educate the public about environmental health issues. The training in water, sanitation, and infectious diseases from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Inspector

Virologist

Virologists study viruses, which are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans, animals, and plants. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research laboratories, and industry. Virologists use their knowledge of viruses to develop new drugs and vaccines, to diagnose and treat diseases, and to protect the environment. The training in vaccines and management of communicable disease from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virologist

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work with individuals, families, and communities to promote health and prevent disease. They provide a variety of services, including health screenings, vaccinations, and education. Public Health Nurses also work to address the social determinants of health, such as poverty, housing, and education. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

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Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialists develop and implement plans to prevent and control environmental hazards, and to promote public health. They work with other public health professionals, engineers, and scientists to assess environmental health risks, develop and implement environmental health programs, and educate the public about environmental health issues. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Specialist

Sanitation Engineer

Sanitation Engineers design and build systems to collect, treat, and dispose of wastewater and solid waste. They work to protect public health and the environment by ensuring that these systems operate safely and efficiently. The training in water, sanitation, and infectious diseases from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sanitation Engineer

Health Education Specialist

Health Education Specialists develop and implement health education programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work with a variety of audiences, including children, adults, and seniors. Health Education Specialists use a variety of methods to educate the public about health issues, including workshops, presentations, and social media. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

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Vaccine Scientist

Vaccine Scientists develop and evaluate vaccines to prevent and control diseases. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, industry, and government. Vaccine Scientists use their knowledge of immunology and vaccinology to design and conduct clinical trials, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The training in vaccines and management of communicable disease from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vaccine Scientist

Public Health Advisor

Public Health Advisors work with communities and organizations to improve the health of the public. They provide technical assistance and support to help communities develop and implement public health programs. Public Health Advisors also work to educate the public about health issues and to advocate for policies that promote health. The training in health protection and the principles and nuances of health protection in the context of public health practice from this course may be useful in this role.

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CBRN Specialist

CBRN Specialists are responsible for protecting the public from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. They develop and implement plans to prepare for and respond to CBRN incidents. CBRN Specialists also work to educate the public about CBRN threats and how to stay safe. The training in environmental hazards and strategic health protection threats from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for CBRN Specialist

Health Emergency Manager

Health Emergency Managers are responsible for planning and responding to public health emergencies, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and terrorist attacks. They work with other public health professionals, emergency responders, and government officials to develop and implement emergency plans and to coordinate response efforts. The training in environmental hazards and strategic health protection threats from this course may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Emergency Manager