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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Social Policy

Undergraduate Course: Population Health and Health Policy (SCPL10029)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course examines concepts and debates relating to public health, health inequalities and health policy in a global context. It enables students to understand the policy making process, to analyse the roles of key health policy actors, and to consider the relationship between evidence and policy in relation to health.

Public health emphasizes the dual objectives of population health improvement and the reduction of health inequalities; yet there is a lack of consensus over the principal determinants of health, appropriate policy approaches for achieving these goals, and effective strategies for engaging in the making of public policy. This course will introduce students to key concepts and principles in public health and policy analysis, exploring the role of public policy in meeting population health objectives. It offers a problem-focused and multi-disciplinary approach that draws on public health medicine, epidemiology, political science, public administration, sociology and political theory, with a normative focus on health equity a central theme throughout the course. Students will be provided with a conceptual framework within which to analyse the making of health policy, focusing on the varying distribution of power among different actors and stakeholders. Key theories of the state will be introduced, including its various functions in relation to population health, and we will explore changes in health policy associated with the ¿hollowing out¿ of the state via the increased role of markets, civil society, and international agencies. The course offers different approaches to understanding the policy process, looking at why some health issues obtain a privileged position within the policy agenda and why others are denied access to it, and emphasising the importance of understanding obstacles to effective implementation.

Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should be at a level commensurate with Edinburgh University Year 3 or Year 4 students.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Assessment will be based on two components:
1) Input to online discussion fora. Students to submit a 1,500 word portfolio of 4-6 written contributions to online course discussions, including at least 2 initiated contributions and at least 2 responses to other¿s contributions (30%).
2) Written essay of 2,500 words (70%).

Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
1.Analyse the concept of health and its determinants at a population level, and consider the relevance of these for contemporary public policy

2.Demonstrate an understanding of the range of factors that influence population health and the causes of health inequalities

3.Apply a conceptual framework for analysis of the health policy process

4.Assess theories of the state and their implications for the state¿s role in relation to health

5.Consider the increasing role of market actors within the policy process

6.Assess the varying roles of civil society organisations within the policy process

7.Examine different theoretical approaches to understanding which health issues are situated on the policy agenda and to effective implementation of heath policy

8.Evaluate the role of the health system in promoting health and reducing health inequalities at a population level

9.Understand conceptual and methodological issues in measuring and monitoring health and health inequalities, and be able to interpret and critically appraise information on health and health inequalities

10.Consider the role of scientific evidence in policy-making and examine competing models of the relationship between research and policy

Reading List
Key Texts
Buse K, Mays N and Walt G (2012). Making Health Policy (2nd ed). London: Open University Press.
Blank R and Buray V. (2010) Comparative Health Policy 3rd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Crinson I (2009) Health Policy: A Critical Perspective. London: Sage.
Graham H (2007). Unequal Lives: Health and socioeconomic inequalities. Maidenhead; Open University Press.
Sim F and McKee M (eds) (2011). Issues in public health (2nd ed). Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Beaglehole R, Bonita R (2004). Public health at the crossroads (2nd ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordspublic health, global health, health policy health inequalities
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sarah Hill
Tel:
Email: s.e.hill@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Edwin Cruden
Tel: (0131 6)51 5197
Email: Edwin.Cruden@ed.ac.uk
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