VETS 305 - Introduction to Public Health

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): VETS 120 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ or better OR permission of the instructor

Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): None

The Introduction to Public Health course discusses the basis of public health and its multidisciplinary approach to promote healthy human populations on a local, national, and global level. Students will learn about the science and politics surrounding public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and the powers of government; and they will learn about the controversial role public health plays in the medical care system. This course will touch on past, current, and emerging public health issues including factors such as microbial agents, environmental toxicities, social and behavioral factors, emergency preparedness, and the achievements of public health and challenges for the future.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Achieve familiarity with the various components of the public health system and understand the basis of prevention through a multidisciplinary effort.
Identify careers in public health that are related to students current fields of study.
Describe the controversy surrounding public health and how it impacts certain segments of the population.
Describe the role and responsibility of government in public health and its division of power among local, state, and national agencies for population health decisions.
Describe the role of public health in the medical care system and the challenges in providing accessible and ethical medical care to all citizens.
Explain the basic principles and terms of epidemiology.
Describe epidemiologic surveillance and understand the ethical considerations and limits surrounding epidemiology.
Describe how statistical data is used to influence public health decisions and identify credible resources that provide vital statistics and complete data reports.
Explain the burdens of infectious and chronic diseases on morbidity and mortality.
Describe how psychological and social factors affect health and influence health-related behaviors.
Identify socioeconomic factors that contribute to health disparities and the roles of public health in addressing these disparities.
Identify and explain how hazards in the environment affect the population at large and describe the steps public health has taken to remediate and prevent environmental hazards.
Describe the measures taken by local, state, and national agencies to prepare for, respond to, and manage natural or man-made disasters and emergencies.
Identify public healths most impactful achievements of the twentieth century and identify future challenges for public health as populations continue to grow and there is more demand for resources and medical services.