Health Promotion and Young People

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject explores key practices, principles and frameworks for health promotion and community capacity building aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of young people. Participants will be encouraged to develop a more systematic approach to health promotion practice, particularly in undertaking needs-assessments, and in planning and implementing collaborative health promotion approaches. These approaches will take into account the setting and diversity within communities. A range of evaluation processes will be considered with particular emphasis on participatory approaches, engagement of young people and critical questioning of 'what counts' as evidence. Participants will be encouraged to build on their existing repertoire of communication strategies with a focus on developing advocacy and engagement strategies.

This subject is designed to enable students to:

• analyse and critically reflect on theories and principles of health promotion and community capacity building as they relate to particular communities and practice settings;
• identify and reflect on social determinants of health and health inequalities as they relate to particular communities and settings;
• identify, analyse and critically reflect on the issues that a young person, family community or professional may encounter;
• critically examine the ethical and risk management dimensions of health promotion practice in communities;
• enhance youth participation, engagement and inclusivity;
• identify and evaluate key principles associated with effective adolescent health promotion, intervention and program design strategies;
• develop a repertoire of communication strategies for engaging diverse individuals and communities in adolescent health promotion and advocacy for adolescent health and wellbeing;
• apply a range of program evaluation approaches, including selection of appropriate evaluation methods, monitoring of the impact / outcomes of program developments and needs assessment.

• Health Promotion Portfolio of selected communication pieces / program design tools (eg. needs assessment; short position paper; media release; program goals) Needs assessment 20% (Max: 800 words) Due: Mid semester (week 6)
• Project Proposal 60% (Max: 2,500 words) Due: End semester (week 12)
• Health Promotion dissemination piece 20% (Max 800 words) Due: End semester (week 12)

N/A

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject is designed to enable students to:

• analyse and critically reflect on theories and principles of health promotion and community capacity building as they relate to particular communities and practice settings;
• identify and reflect on social determinants of health and health inequalities as they relate to particular communities and settings;
• identify, analyse and critically reflect on the issues that a young person, family community or professional may encounter;
• critically examine the ethical and risk management dimensions of health promotion practice in communities;
• enhance youth participation, engagement and inclusivity;
• identify and evaluate key principles associated with effective adolescent health promotion, intervention and program design strategies;
• develop a repertoire of communication strategies for engaging diverse individuals and communities in adolescent health promotion and advocacy for adolescent health and wellbeing;
• apply a range of program evaluation approaches, including selection of appropriate evaluation methods, monitoring of the impact / outcomes of program developments and needs assessment.

On completion of this subject, it is expected that students will be able to:

• communicate effectively with a diverse range of audiences (including young people, communities, the media and other professionals) to generate collaborative and relevant health promotion initiatives;
• analyse and present arguments for change and inform these using relevant evidence from health promotions research, policy and professional practice;
• further develop cross-sectoral partnerships and collaborative networks to strengthen the capacity of communities to meet the needs of young people.

This subject requires access to the internet. Distance Education participants will receive a printed Learner's Guide and key subject readings. A range of online resources, templates and collaborative learning tools can be accessed via the Subject website.