MPH 501

As public health relies on a number of systems in order to serve diverse populations across the globe, this course will take a systems thinking and modeling approach to provide a general understanding on a range of topics and issues in public health, including a brief history and philosophy on public health as well as its core values, concepts, functions, and leadership roles, the US healthcare system, measuring health, health prevention, intervention and education, the impact of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases across the globe, food insecurity and malnutrition, demographic transition and immigration, fertility and mortality, mental health and addiction, environmental and occupational health and genetic health. This course will also address a number of impactful case studies and controversies in health and biomedical ethics. (Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree; Exemptions: Students who have earned a BS in Public Health from an accredited university within the previous five years and have completed this course with a grade of B or higher may substitute for an elective or research course of equivalent credit value. Substitutions must be approved by the Program Director/Registrar.)