Foundations of Public Health Practice: Behaviour & Behaviour Change from Coursera

The Health Protection course is the third 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, theory and implementation of behaviour change in the context of public health practice. The course begins by challenging learners about their preconceptions about healthy and unhealthy behaviour - seeking to contextualise these ideas within the broader public health approach (the first course of this specialisation). The course thereafter swiftly covers the origins of risk communication and behaviour change through the lens of health psychology and classical economics, before introducing ideas of bounded rationality and the genesis of behavioural insights and so-called Nudges. By the end of the course, learners will be fluent with their use of the Behaviour Change Wheel methodology of intervention development and the application of the COM-B framework to a range of target behaviours and behavioural barriers.

The subsequent courses of this specialisation will cover health protection before moving into the final (degree learner) course which where learners will focus on developing the core professional skillset that defines public health practitioners - whether in service or academia.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module One: Behaviour and behaviour change principles

This third course, "Behaviour and Behaviour Change", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the topic of behaviour and the centrality of behaviour change throughout public health. A very broad lens is cast on behaviour change as the course encompasses everything from clinical intervention up to national-level regulation and legislation. This first module, entitled "Understanding Behaviour" introduces learners to what behaviour means in the context of health improvement, and examines how we interpret risk. We look at risk communication before examining the health psychology literature and three common theories of behaviour: The Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The second lesson examines more modern insights into behaviour through the lens of behavioural economics, examining behavioural insights and the application of nudge-based techniques.

Behaviour change models

Module Two: Analysing behaviour and effecting change

This third course, "Behaviour and Behaviour Change", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the topic of behaviour and the centrality of behaviour change throughout public health. A very broad lens is cast on behaviour change as the course encompasses everything from clinical intervention up to national-level regulation and legislation. This second module, entitled "Analysing behaviour and effecting change" introduces learners to the Behaviour Change Wheel methodology that incorporates the COM-B model of behaviour. Students are guided through the latest approaches to behavioural analysis and evidence-based intervention development. While the module focuses on physical activity, we draw upon a range of other topics from the breadth of public health practice including medicines adherence and school-based interventions.

Module Three: Theory into practice

This third course, "Behaviour and Behaviour Change", part of the wider Foundations of Public Health Practice specialisation, is designed to introduce learners to the topic of behaviour and the centrality of behaviour change throughout public health. A very broad lens is cast on behaviour change as the course encompasses everything from clinical intervention up to national-level regulation and legislation. This third module, entitled "Theory into practice" builds on learners' existing knowledge of the Behaviour Change Wheel methodology and invites them to undertake their own rapid analysis of a public health problem and propose their COM-B diagnosis and BCW-based intervention via a peer-review exercise.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Design for beginners in the field of health practice

Offers practical experience through interactive activities and practitioner interviews

Introduces advanced concepts like behavioral insights and nudge techniques

Develops proficiency in using the Behaviour Change Wheel methodology

Presented by Dr Richard J Pinder, an expert in Public Health Practice

Reviews summary

Practical behavior insights for public health

Learners say this course offers practical insights about behavioral economics and public health practice. They mention the Behavioral Change Wheel Methodology as an engaging and effective component. While some learners found the materials extensive, they also said this course is well organized and helpful for those pursuing masters or doctoral degrees or careers in health promotion or behavioral science

Learners gave this course generally positive reviews.

"Very good course."

"Great course. Glad to have access to some information of behavioural insights."

"Thank you for an excellent course."

Learners found the Behavioral Change Wheel Methodology to be an engaging and effective tool.

"El curso está bien organizado, los docentes son claros y los contenidos pertinentes y actualizados."

"Realy, Thank you so much. I am learning new knowledge, skills and attitudes."

"I think it is a very complete course, it articulates very well with the other courses of the specialization."

Many learners were impressed by the quality of the course materials.

"Course content was great !"

"I enjoyed the course. its very insightful."

"The structure of the course is really nice, and it was very helpful for me as a masters student in Mexico and a future PhD student."

At least one learner felt that the instructor appeared unsure of the material in videos.

"The instructor seemed unsure sometimes in videos."

Some learners felt there was a large amount of material covered.

"I felt this had too much material but not enough assignments."

"With some of challenge, finally i finished"

At least one learner experienced difficulties with the peer review assignments.

"please fix the peer review assignement thanks"

"i have submit my peer assignment and got a review yet i could not get my certificate"

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: Behaviour & Behaviour Change with these activities:

Review core concepts of health psychology and behavioral economics

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Improve understanding of foundational theories and principles.

Browse courses on Health Psychology

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Read introductory texts on health psychology and behavioral economics.
Go through online resources and video lectures on these topics.
Summarize key concepts in your own words.

Participate in peer discussions and case study analysis

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Foster collaboration, exchange diverse perspectives, and enhance critical thinking.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Join online forums or discussion groups related to behaviour change.
Engage actively in discussions, sharing insights and seeking feedback.
Collaborate on case study analysis, sharing ideas and developing comprehensive solutions.
Critically evaluate different perspectives and approaches presented by peers.

Organize and review course materials and supplementary resources

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Enhance understanding and retention of course content.

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Create a system for organizing notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Regularly review and summarize key concepts.
Identify and collect additional resources to supplement course materials.

Four other activities

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Practice applying the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) methodology

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Enhance proficiency in using the BCW to develop targeted interventions.

Browse courses on Intervention Development

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Select a public health problem and apply the BCW to analyze its behavioral determinants.
Design a BCW-based intervention to address the identified problem.
Evaluate your intervention using the COM-B model.

Develop a communication plan for a behavior change intervention

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Apply knowledge of behavior change principles to create an effective communication strategy.

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Identify the target audience and key messages for the intervention.
Choose appropriate communication channels and develop tailored messages.
Design and implement a plan for message dissemination.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the communication plan.

Explore advanced topics in behaviour change, such as nudging and digital interventions

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Expand knowledge and skills in cutting-edge behaviour change techniques.

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Enroll in online tutorials or workshops on nudging and digital interventions.
Read articles and research papers on these topics.
Apply these techniques to real-world scenarios.

Contribute to open-source projects related to public health and behavior change

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Gain practical experience in applying behavior change principles in real-world settings.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects related to public health and behavior change.
Join the project team and contribute to development or research efforts.
Share your findings and insights with the project community.

Career center

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

Behavior Analyst

Behaviour Analysts are responsible for researching, identifying, and implementing ways to help people of all ages learn and adapt new skills and behaviors. They help people manage their behaviors so they can live more independently and achieve their goals. This course may be useful for people who want to become Behavior Analysts because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Behavior Analyst

Health Psychologist

Health Psychologists work with individuals and groups to help them improve their health and well-being. They use psychological principles to understand and change health-related behaviors. This course may be useful for people who want to become Health Psychologists because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Psychologist

Health Communication Specialist

Health Communication Specialists develop and implement communication campaigns to promote health and prevent disease. They use a variety of communication channels, including social media, print, and television. This course may be useful for people who want to become Health Communication Specialists because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communication Specialist

Public Health Educator

Public Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They work with a variety of audiences, including children, adults, and seniors. This course may be useful for people who want to become Public Health Educators because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Educator

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health policy issues. They make recommendations to policymakers about how to improve the health of the population. This course may be useful for people who want to become Health Policy Analysts because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Social Marketing Manager

Social Marketing Managers use marketing principles to promote health and social change. They develop and implement campaigns to encourage people to adopt healthy behaviors. This course may be useful for people who want to become Social Marketing Managers because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Marketing Manager

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to people in their communities. They work with individuals and families to help them improve their health and well-being. This course may be useful for people who want to become Community Health Workers because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Worker

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They use a variety of therapeutic techniques to help people improve their mental health and well-being. This course may be useful for people who want to become Clinical Psychologists because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist

School Psychologist

School Psychologists provide psychological services to students in schools. They help students with a variety of issues, including academic, behavioral, and social problems. This course may be useful for people who want to become School Psychologists because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Psychologist

Counselor

Counselors provide guidance and support to people who are experiencing personal or emotional problems. They help people to cope with difficult life events, such as divorce, grief, and job loss. This course may be useful for people who want to become Counselors because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and assistance to people who are facing social and economic challenges. They help people to access resources and services, and to connect with their communities. This course may be useful for people who want to become Social Workers because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

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Teacher

Teachers help students to learn and grow. They create and implement lesson plans, and assess student progress. This course may be useful for people who want to become Teachers because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other settings. They assess patients' needs, develop care plans, and administer medications. This course may be useful for people who want to become Nurses because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and provide other medical care. This course may be useful for people who want to become Doctors because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

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Dentist

Dentists diagnose and treat dental problems. They clean teeth, fill cavities, and perform other dental procedures. This course may be useful for people who want to become Dentists because it provides a foundation in behavior change principles and models. The course also covers how to analyze behavior and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dentist