Disease Causation, Prevention, and Promotion
10 ECTS
Disease Causation, Prevention, and Promotion
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Module Description
This module encompasses the multifaceted aspects of disease causation and the diagnostic process in relation to public health, prevention, and health promotion.
It covers the fundamental principles of epidemiology and the determinants of health, exploring how several factors contribute to the onset and progression of diseases looking at programming, life-course and risk-factor approaches.
The module also emphasises the strategies for disease prevention and health promotion, including interventions at individual, community, and policy levels.
Students will learn to design, implement, and evaluate public health initiatives aimed at preventing diseases and promoting health.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course will hold a:
- Level 6 Degree related to the subject area of the programme.
OR
- Level 6 degree not related to the subject area of the programme and a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience (subject to interview by admissions board)
OR
- Level 5 Diploma or Higher Diploma related to the subject area of the programme and 2 years of work experience in a position related to the subject area of this programme (subject to interview by admissions board).
In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning is found then the applicant could still be accepted in the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA College, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
Target Audience
This programme targets:
- Individuals seeking to advance their academic and professional knowledge in the sector of public health.
- Individuals wanting to pursue a wide range of career paths within the public health industry.
- Individuals wanting to enhance their ability to interpret, assess and communicate public-health related information.
Career Paths
This programme aims to equip target audience with the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in this application. The programme prepares for positions such as:
- Consultant in Public Health
- Leadership, management and administrative roles of health services, programmes or facilities
- Epidemiologist/biostatistician
- Health promotion and communication specialist
- Health Policy Analyst/Planner
- Global public health professional
- Environmental health scientist
- Public health educator/researcher
How you’ll be assessed
The module comprises of:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
TBA 2025
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Thoroughly evaluate the epidemiology of specific diseases relevant to public health and their risk factors.
- Critically evaluate concepts of diagnosis and screening as relevant to public health.
- Appraise the inherited causes of disease and genomics and their role in public health.
- Assess social behaviour and its effects on health.
- Evaluate the environment and its effects on health.
- Critically evaluate strategies for health protection and communicable diseases.
- Outline and examine principles and practices of health promotion.
- Critically evaluate disease prevention strategies and models of behaviour change.
- Critically assess global health issues and their implications.
- Engage in interdisciplinary and collaborative teamwork.
Knowledge
By the end of the module/unit, the students will be able to:
- Thoroughly evaluate the epidemiology of specific diseases relevant to public health and their risk factors.
- Critically evaluate concepts of diagnosis and screening as relevant to public health.
- Appraise the inherited causes of disease and genomics and their role in public health.
- Assess social behaviour and its effects on health.
- Evaluate the environment and its effects on health.
- Critically evaluate strategies for health protection and communicable diseases.
- Outline and examine principles and practices of health promotion.
- Critically evaluate disease prevention strategies and models of behaviour change.
- Critically assess global health issues and their implications.
- Engage in interdisciplinary and collaborative teamwork.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Design interventions to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities.
- Design health promotion campaigns and interventions.
- Implement policy-based interventions to prevent disease and promote health at the population level.
- Evaluate the impact of public health interventions using appropriate research methods.
- Use epidemiological data to understand the burden of disease in different populations.
- Apply epidemiological methods to study the causes and spread of diseases.
- Apply ethical principles to the design and implementation of public health interventions.
- Ensure cultural competence in health promotion and disease prevention efforts, respecting the values and needs of diverse populations.
- Communicate complex public health concepts effectively with diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
- Demonstrate the acquisition and application of important soft skills including peer working, a strong sense of responsibility, a professional work ethic, critical thinking, autonomy, and problem-solving skills.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
The learner will be able to:
- Communicate epidemiological data and public health information effectively to diverse audiences.Develop health education materials and campaigns tailored to specific populations.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
The learner will be able to:
- Use data visualisation techniques to present information clearly and persuasively.
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.