Intro to Public Health

Unit 1 – Public Health: Scope and Introduction

Unit 2 – Public Health: History and Evolution

Unit 3 – Epidemiology: Core Principles & Methods

Unit 4 – Biostatistics and Data Analysis for Public Health

Unit 5 – Social & Behavioral Health Determinants

Unit 6 – Environmental Health & Safety in Public Health

Unit 7 – Global Health: Challenges and Solutions

Unit 8 – Infectious Diseases: Prevention Strategies

Unit 9 – Chronic Diseases & Health Promotion

Unit 10 – Maternal and Child Health

Unit 11 – Health Disparities and Equity in Public Health

Unit 12 – Healthcare Systems & Policy in Public Health

Unit 13 – Public Health Programs: Interventions & Evaluation

Unit 14 – Public Health Ethics and Professional Conduct

Unit 15 – Future Trends in Public Health

## What do you learn in Introduction to Public Health

You'll explore the basics of keeping communities healthy. Topics include epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and social determinants of health. You'll learn about disease prevention, health promotion, and how public health systems work. The course covers current health challenges, global health issues, and strategies to improve population health.

## Is Introduction to Public Health hard?

It's not too bad, honestly. The concepts are pretty straightforward, but there's a lot of new terminology to wrap your head around. The trickiest part is understanding how different factors interact to affect health on a population level. Most students find it interesting, which makes it easier to stay engaged. Just keep up with the readings and you'll be fine.

## Tips for taking Introduction to Public Health in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create a glossary of public health terms - there are tons of acronyms and jargon
3. Follow public health organizations on social media for real-world examples
4. Practice explaining concepts to friends - it helps solidify your understanding
5. Watch "Contagion" or "And the Band Played On" for a cinematic look at epidemics
6. Read "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" for insights on ethics in public health
7. Use the CDC website to explore current health data and issues

## Common pre-requisites for Introduction to Public Health

1. Biology 101: Covers the basics of cell structure, genetics, and human anatomy. It's a foundation for understanding how diseases work at a biological level.

2. Statistics 101: Introduces statistical methods and data analysis. This class helps you interpret health data and understand epidemiological studies.

3. Sociology 101: Explores social structures and human behavior. It provides context for understanding social determinants of health and health disparities.

## Classes similar to Introduction to Public Health

1. Global Health: Focuses on health issues that transcend national boundaries. You'll learn about international health organizations and global health challenges.

2. Environmental Health: Examines how our environment affects human health. Topics include air and water quality, climate change, and occupational hazards.

3. Health Policy and Management: Covers the nuts and bolts of healthcare systems. You'll learn about health insurance, healthcare reform, and policy-making processes.

4. Epidemiology: Dives deep into the study of disease patterns in populations. You'll learn research methods and how to design and interpret health studies.

## Majors related to Introduction to Public Health

1. Public Health: Focuses on preventing disease and promoting health at the population level. Students learn about epidemiology, health policy, and community health interventions.

2. Health Sciences: Covers a broad range of health-related topics. Students gain a foundation in biology, chemistry, and health systems, preparing for various healthcare careers.

3. Environmental Studies: Examines the relationship between humans and the environment. Students learn about ecology, environmental policy, and sustainable development, often with a focus on human health impacts.

4. Health Administration: Prepares students for management roles in healthcare settings. Coursework includes health policy, healthcare finance, and organizational leadership.

## What can you do with a degree in Introduction to Public Health?

1. Epidemiologist: Investigates patterns and causes of disease in populations. They design and conduct studies to identify health risks and develop strategies for prevention.

2. Health Education Specialist: Develops and implements programs to promote health and prevent disease. They work in various settings, from schools to community organizations, teaching people how to improve their health.

3. Environmental Health Specialist: Assesses and manages environmental factors that affect public health. They might inspect restaurants for food safety, investigate water pollution, or develop policies to reduce air pollution.

4. Public Health Policy Analyst: Researches and analyzes health policies and their impacts. They work with government agencies or non-profits to develop and evaluate health policies and programs.

## Introduction to Public Health FAQs

1. Do I need to be good at math for this course? While some basic math is involved, especially in epidemiology, it's not a math-heavy course. The focus is more on understanding concepts and interpreting data.

2. Can I pursue medical school after studying public health? Absolutely! Many med schools value public health knowledge. You'll still need to complete pre-med requirements, but public health provides a great foundation.

3. Is public health only about infectious diseases? Not at all. While infectious diseases are a part of it, public health also covers chronic diseases, mental health, environmental health, and social determinants of health.

4. How is public health different from healthcare? Public health focuses on preventing disease and promoting health in populations, while healthcare deals more with treating individuals who are already sick or injured.

Public Health

1.1 Defining Public Health and Its Core Functions

1.3 Interdisciplinary Nature of Public Health

1.2 Public Health Infrastructure and Organizations

1.4 Population Health vs. Individual Health

2.1 Major Public Health Milestones and Achievements

2.2 Evolution of Public Health Theories and Models

2.3 Key Figures in Public Health History

3.1 Basic Epidemiological Concepts and Measures

3.3 Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation

3.2 Study Designs in Epidemiology

3.4 Screening and Prevention Strategies

4.1 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

4.2 Probability and Hypothesis Testing

4.3 Data Collection and Management in Public Health

4.4 Interpretation and Presentation of Statistical Results

5.1 Social Ecological Model of Health

5.2 Health Behavior Theories and Models

5.3 Cultural Competence and Health Literacy

5.4 Community Engagement and Participatory Approaches

6.1 Environmental Risk Assessment and Management

6.2 Air, Water, and Soil Quality

6.4 Climate Change and Health

6.3 Occupational Health and Safety

7.1 Global Burden of Disease

7.2 International Health Organizations and Collaborations

7.3 Health Systems in Developing Countries

7.4 Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

8.1 Principles of Infectious Disease Transmission

8.2 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programs

8.3 Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

8.4 Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship

9.1 Major Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors

9.2 Lifestyle Interventions and Health Education

9.3 Community-Based Health Promotion Programs

9.4 Policy Approaches to Chronic Disease Prevention

10.1 Reproductive Health and Family Planning

10.3 Child Growth, Development, and Nutrition

10.2 Maternal and Infant Mortality

10.4 Adolescent Health Issues

11.1 Social Determinants of Health Inequities

11.2 Health Disparities Among Vulnerable Populations

11.3 Strategies to Address Health Disparities

11.4 Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery

12.1 Comparative Health Systems

12.4 Public Health Law and Regulations

12.2 Health Insurance and Healthcare Financing

12.3 Health Policy Development and Analysis

13.3 Data Collection and Analysis for Evaluation

13.4 Using Evaluation Results for Program Improvement

13.1 Planning and Implementing Public Health Interventions

13.2 Types of Program Evaluation

14.3 Interprofessional Collaboration in Public Health

14.4 Communication and Advocacy in Public Health

14.2 Public Health Leadership and Management

14.1 Ethical Principles in Public Health

15.1 Technological Advancements in Public Health

15.3 Public Health Implications of Aging Populations

15.4 Preparing for Future Public Health Challenges

15.2 One Health Approach and Zoonotic Diseases

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

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