Health promotion and disease prevention in at risk groups; strategies and methods
Summary
This course provides students with comprehensive knowledge in health promotion and disease prevention, emphasizing community-based work and participatory approaches to drive social and behavioral change.
Integrating theories from health promotion, disease prevention, social work, psychology, and the study of religion, students will learn to understand and influence health behaviors for sustainable health improvements.
A key component of the course is a field study, where students will apply their theoretical and practical knowledge.
About
Upon successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- Identify, give examples, and discuss how social, economic, cultural, and religious factors influence perceptions of health, illness, and help-seeking behaviors.
- Analyze and critique theories and methods for social and health change, particularly in community-based work with at-risk groups in low- and middle-income settings.
- Discuss and justify the application of appropriate theories for planning sustainable health promotion and disease prevention projects that reflect local stakeholders' priorities.
In terms of practical application, you will:
- Learn to apply suitable data collection methods to understand and approach specific health problems within a defined geographical area.
- Design a project based on relevant theory that outlines how to plan, implement, and evaluate a health promotion intervention.
You will be equipped to:
- Reflect on the epistemological, ethical, and methodological foundations of community work, explaining their relevance to disease prevention and health promotion paradigms and theories.
- Analyze power structures related to gender, ethnicity, and social status affecting health promotion and disease prevention.
- Discuss ethical issues concerning prevention and health promotion interventions and professional conduct.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Admission to the course requires a Bachelor's degree worth 180 credits in a social sciences/health sciences/economics/arts main area or equivalent and English B/English 6 at upper secondary level or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
After graduation
The knowledge and skills you acquire from
this course will significantly enhance your contributions to healthcare
organizations, community initiatives, or public health departments.
You will be
well-prepared for roles such as health promotion specialist, community health
worker, public health advisor, or social worker focused on health-related
issues.
This course will advance your professional development, equipping you
to lead impactful health promotion and disease prevention initiatives.
