Courses

Case Studies in Public Health Advocacy         

410.665.11
Vincent DeMarco
Michael Pertschuk
June 19-20, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
2 credits

Examines the elements of model health policy advocacy campaigns by examining draft case studies of successful campaigns led by Vincent DeMarco, including the Maryland Children’s Initiative to raise tobacco taxes, the “Health Care for All” plan for Maryland, and successful campaigns to achieve incremental objectives toward achievement of that plan. Examines and analyzes these case studies to draw generic lessons on both strategy and leadership of state health policy advocacy campaigns. 

Children, Media, and Health                                                           

410.752.11
Dina Borzekowski
June 2-11, 2008
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
3 credits

Examines children’s use of media and its impact on health. Using a developmental perspective, this course considers different aged children (from preschoolers to teenagers), multiple media formats (print, radio, television, computer games and the internet) and various health concerns (food preferences, consumerism, smoking, violence, weight, and sexuality).

Introduction to Community-Based Participatory Research: Principles and Methods      

410.631.11
Janice Bowie and Lee Bone
June 2-11, 2008
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
3 credits

Introduces students to the fundamental principles of, rationale for, and key considerations in conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR). Offers knowledge of and skills in CBPR that emphasize the importance of community inclusion and partnership as a viable approach to constructing and increasing the acceptance of interventions and improving the health and well-being of populations.

410.650.11
Rajiv Rimal
June 2-13, 2008
8:30 a.m. – Noon
4 credits

Prepares students to apply selected social-psychological and health communication theories and research to the development of effective health messages. Emphasizes critical thinking skills in analyzing core elements of persuasive communication and the applicability of social science theory to health campaigns. Although the application of theory in designing effective messages is an important element of the course, the primary focus is on understanding various theoretical approaches to effective message design, cognitive processing, and attitude change.

Latino Health: Measures and Predictors                                                     

410.660.11 
Fannie Fonseca-Becker
June 2-11, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
3 credits

Examines the measures and predictors of health for the U.S. Latino population. Students develop a conceptual model to better understand how psychosocial and other individual-level factors, as well as socio/political, community, and health care delivery factors, influence an individual’s success in accessing the health care system in a sustainable manner. Using case studies that take into consideration the heterogeneity of the Latino population, students learn key steps to design, implement, and evaluate health care programs to decrease the health disparities gap.

Populomics: A New Paradigm in Population Health                                                  

410.765.11
M. Chris Gibbons      
June 9-18, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
3 credits

Explores the origins, conceptual domains, and future potential of populomics. Innovations in information and computing technologies have led to revolutions in healthcare, medicine, and clinical research. However, similar gains in the social sciences and contemporary public health research and practice have not been realized. This suggests the need for public health research and practice to embrace “eHealth” innovations to address complex, dynamic, and intractable population health issues, including those of urban health and racial and ethnic disparities. Introduces students to fundamental skills needed to become leaders in populomics research and practice within the context of urban health disparities.          

Psychosocial Factors in Health and Illness                                                 

410.613.11
Paul Gaist
June 16-19, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
4 credits

Presents a global, multifaceted look at health and illness and explores the many factors that influence—or even determine—whether we remain healthy or become ill. Explores how these factors influence the course of illness, recovery and future health status for many of the most prevalent diseases confronting us today.  Taking a biopsychosocial and environmental/ecological approach, the coursework presents a view of health and illness that is now emerging throughout research, program, and policy arenas. Factors such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, stress, social support, coping, and political and legal influences will be examined through an array of contemporary issues: obesity, HIV/AIDS, women's health, bioterrorism, mental health, and others. 

Social and Behavioral Aspects Of Public Health                                           

410.616.11
Departmental Faculty
June 2-13, 2008
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
4 credits

Demonstrate how processes within the psycho-social-cultural and political structures of society affect different spheres of public health, including the type and distribution of illness and disease; the modes of intervention used in the prevention of illness, disease, and injury; and the organization of health services at the national, international, and community levels.