Foundations of Public Health Practice: The Public Health Approach from Coursera

The Public Health Approach course is the first 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 four modules (intended for four weeks of learning), learners will become familiar with the scope, origins, ethics, principles and paradigms of public health practice. But there is also important foundational content for those coming from more experienced practitioner backgrounds. The 'Public Health Approach' is a phrase that is used widely to describe an up-stream, preventive, values-driven and evidence-based approach to improving population health. By the end of this course, learners will be confident with identifying and describing a wide range of public health challenges using the language and reference points of the public health profession.

The subsequent courses require the knowledge from this course, as learners will be introduced to the public health toolkit of health needs assessment and evaluation, before taking deeper dives into behaviour change and health protection.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the course and Module 1: The public health approach

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This first module, entitled "Principles of Public Health Practice" introduces learners to the scope, origins and ethics of public health. The module begins reviewing different frameworks of public health that have been used, settling on a hybrid model comprising four domains: health improvement, health protection, healthcare public health and health intelligence. And this sets the scene and structure for the remainder of the specialisation. Learners are then taken through a very rapid and concise history of public health, before contrasting ideas of public health ethics with those of more traditional biomedicine.

Welcome to Module 2: The wider determinants of health

This first course, "The Public Health Approach", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to public health practice: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. This second module, entitled "The Wider Determinants of Health" introduces the wider determinants paradigm: a very different and much broader world-view that recognises much more of the socio-cultural, economic and environmental influences on population and individual health. We introduce learners to the differing ideas of equality and equity and the centrality of combating health inequalities.

Welcome to Module 3: Prevention and early identification

Welcome to Module 4: Politics and policy in public health

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dr Richard J Pinder, who has decades of public health experience

This course belongs to a series of other courses, "Foundations of Public Health Practice."

Develops a strong foundation for beginners entering the public health field

Covers politics, policy, and ethics in public health

May require additional background knowledge on public health

Reviews summary

Comprehensive public health fundamentals

Learners say this course by Imperial College London is a largely positive and engaging course that gives them a strong understanding of public health fundamentals. From the ethics of public health to the principles and paradigms of public health practice, this course is well-structured and well-presented. It features clear and informative video lectures, relevant external materials, and thought-provoking assignments. The majority of learners found this course to be challenging but rewarding, with many reporting that they gained a new appreciation for the field of public health.

Learners found the course assignments to be challenging and rewarding.

"After trying a couple of other epidemiological courses offered by other universities, the difference in quality is very noticeable."

"Rather than simple memorisation and recall, the assignments in this course rely on understanding and applying knowledge gained in the lessons."

Course materials are engaging.

"It was a so easy and detailed and really fun."

"The last week (week 4) was a bit challenging and required that I did put the previous knowledge (first 3 weeks) to the test."

Course materials are well-organized and easy to understand.

"Well-organized and easy to understand."

"I enjoyed and learned a great deal from the readings and the fact that were not just focused on the UK."

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: The Public Health Approach with these activities:

Brush up on your research methods skills

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Refreshing your research methods skills will enhance your ability to critically evaluate public health research and conduct your own research projects.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous coursework in research methods.
Read online articles or blog posts about best practices in public health research.

Gather resources on a public health topic of interest

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Creating a compilation of resources on a public health topic will help you stay organized and have easy access to relevant information throughout the course and beyond.

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Choose a public health topic that you are interested in.
Search for articles, reports, websites, and other resources related to the topic.
Organize the resources into a document or online folder.

Volunteer with a local public health organization

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Volunteering with a public health organization will provide you with practical experience and exposure to real-world public health issues.

Browse courses on Public Health Practice

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Research local public health organizations and identify opportunities that align with your interests.
Reach out to the organizations and inquire about volunteer positions.

Four other activities

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Join a study group with classmates

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Engaging in discussions with peers and collaborating on assignments will help you gain a deeper understanding of the material and improve your ability to apply public health principles.

Browse courses on Public Health Practice

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Connect with classmates through the course discussion board or email.
Set up regular study sessions to discuss the course material, complete assignments together, or prepare for exams.

Analyze public health data

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Practicing data analysis will enhance your ability to interpret and draw meaningful conclusions from public health data, a critical skill for public health professionals.

Browse courses on Health Data Analysis

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Find publicly available datasets on public health topics of interest.
Use statistical software to analyze the data and identify trends, patterns, and relationships.

Write a blog post or article about a public health issue

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Writing about a public health issue will help you synthesize your understanding of the topic, develop your writing skills, and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Public Health Communication

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Choose a public health issue that you are passionate about or have studied in the course.
Research the issue thoroughly, gathering information from credible sources.
Write a blog post or article that clearly explains the issue, its causes, and potential solutions.

Develop a public health intervention plan

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Creating an intervention plan will provide you with hands-on experience in applying public health principles to address a specific health problem.

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Identify a health problem that you want to address.
Research the problem and identify potential interventions.
Develop an intervention plan that outlines the goals, objectives, methods, and evaluation strategies.

Career center

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

Health Educator

Health Educators teach people about how to improve their health. They help people understand the importance of healthy behaviors, such as eating well, getting enough exercise, and getting regular checkups. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Educators because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health communication and behavior change, which are essential for Health Educators who want to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nutritionists work with individuals, families, and communities to promote healthy eating and prevent nutrition-related diseases. They provide a wide range of services, such as nutrition counseling, food assistance programs, and school nutrition education. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Public Health Nutritionists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as nutrition science and nutrition assessment, which are essential for Public Health Nutritionists who want to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work with individuals, families, and communities to promote health and prevent disease. They provide a wide range of services, such as health screenings, vaccinations, and counseling. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Public Health Nurses because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health promotion and disease prevention, which are essential for Public Health Nurses who want to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Public Health Administrator

Public Health Administrators plan, implement, and evaluate public health programs. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Public Health Administrators because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as public health administration and management, which are essential for Public Health Administrators who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Administrator

Global Health Specialist

Global Health Specialists work to improve the health of populations in developing countries. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare providers. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Global Health Specialists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as global health policy and program management, which are essential for Global Health Specialists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Global Health Specialist

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. They work to improve access to healthcare and promote healthy behaviors. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Community Health Workers because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as community health assessment and intervention, which are essential for Community Health Workers who want to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Worker

Health Equity Advocate

Health Equity Advocates work to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity for all people. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Equity Advocates because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health equity and social justice, which are essential for Health Equity Advocates who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Equity Advocate

Social Epidemiologist

Social Epidemiologists investigate the social and environmental factors that affect health and disease. They work to identify and address the root causes of health disparities. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Social Epidemiologists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as social epidemiology and health disparities research, which are essential for Social Epidemiologists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Epidemiologist

Public Health Educator

Public Health Educators teach people about how to improve their health. They help people understand the importance of healthy behaviors, such as eating well, getting enough exercise, and getting regular checkups. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Public Health Educators because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health communication and behavior change, which are essential for Public Health Educators who want to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Educator

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other health problems in populations. They design and conduct studies to collect data on health outcomes and risk factors. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Epidemiologists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as research methods and data analysis, which are essential for Epidemiologists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts develop and evaluate policies that aim to improve the health of populations. They work with policymakers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that address a wide range of health issues. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Policy Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health policy development and evaluation, which are essential for Health Policy Analysts who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Researcher

Health Policy Researchers conduct research on the effectiveness of health policies and programs. They work with policymakers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to develop and evaluate policies that aim to improve the health of populations. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Policy Researchers because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as research methods and data analysis, which are essential for Health Policy Researchers who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Researcher

Health Economist

Health Economists apply economic principles to the study of health and healthcare. They work to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of health interventions and policies. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Economists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health economics and health policy analysis, which are essential for Health Economists who want to be successful in their work.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists investigate the environmental factors that affect human health. They work to identify and mitigate environmental hazards, such as air pollution, water contamination, and hazardous waste. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Environmental Health Scientists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as environmental health assessment and risk management, which are essential for Environmental Health Scientists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Health Communication Specialist

Health Communication Specialists develop and implement communication campaigns that promote health and prevent disease. They work with a variety of audiences, including the public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. This course can be helpful for people who want to become Health Communication Specialists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as health communication theory and practice, which are essential for Health Communication Specialists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communication Specialist

Public Health Law Specialist

Public Health Law Specialists work to develop and implement laws and policies that protect and promote the health of populations. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, legal professionals, and public health professionals. This course may be helpful for people who want to become Public Health Law Specialists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of public health. The course also covers topics such as public health law and policy, which may be useful for Public Health Law Specialists who want to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Law Specialist