Social Determinants of Health

Subject POPH90205 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hrs: One two hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: -

Coordinator

Prof Anne Kavanagh

Contact

Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
Telephone: +61 3 8344 0717
Email: enquiries-kcwhs@ unimelb.edu.au

OR

Academic Programs Office
Melbourne School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9339
Fax: +61 3 8344 0824
Email: sph-gradinfo@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject will provide an overview of the Australian and international empirical evidence (quantitative and qualitative) on the ways in which social, economic and cultural processes contribute to population health. Students will be introduced to life course multilevel conceptual frameworks for understanding health. The subject will examine relationships between health and gender, poverty, socio-economic position, employment and working conditions, race/ethnicity, discrimination and place.
Objectives: At the completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  • Understand the key social and economic determinants of health
  • Understand the ways in which the multiple social and economic determinants intersect to shape health
  • Understand at an introductory level the life course multilevel conceptual models for understanding health
  • Understand the empirical evidence on the key social, economic and cultural processes that influence health
  • Critically analyse the relationship between health and gender, poverty, socio-economic position, employment and working conditions, race/ethnicity, discrimination and place.
Assessment:
  • One class presentation of 20 mins (equivalent of 1000 words) during semester (20%)
  • One essay due mid-semester, 1000 words (20%)
  • One essay due end of semester, 3000 words (60%)
Prescribed Texts: Berkman LF, Kawachi I (eds) (2000). Social Epidemiology. Oxford: New York.
Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Upon completion of this subject a student should be able to:
  • Critically analyse relevant empirical studies and conceptual literature.
  • Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrate advanced skills in critical reading.

Related Course(s): Master of Health Social Sciences
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Social Sciences
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Social Health
Women's Health

Download PDF version.