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SS/R: Emerging Dimensions of Social Determinants of Health Inequalities: A Transdisciplinary Integrated Approach
Location
Barcelona, Spain
Term
2nd Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2019 - 2020
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Thursday, November 21, 2019
End Date
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Joan Benach
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Resources
Although there is abundant literature on the analysis of SDHI, most research approaches are based on limited risk factor analyses and other reductionistic linear behavioral and biological perspectives. The advance of ‘complexity science’ and ‘systems thinking’ across a broad range of practices and tools (e.g., system dynamics, network analysis, and agent-based modeling) allows one to consider the causes and solutions for complex challenges such as obesity and addiction, which follow complex systems characteristics such as nonlinearity, feedback loops, or chaotic behavior.
Introduces a novel transdisciplinary approach on Social Determinants of Health Inequities (SDHI). Provides an in-depth understanding of macro, meso and micro levels, all of which generate health inequities. Prepares students to examine the changes, causes, and potential policies to address systemic public health and equity-related subjects and the complex interactions between biology, behaviors, society and politics. Integrates a broad range of disciplines, ‘systems thinking’ practices, and methodological pluralism. Reviews research advances, including explanatory case studies and the evaluation of policies and interventions to reduce health inequities.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and critically analyze some limitations of mainstream Public Health Research
- Review causalities in SDHI research identifying a complex systems thinking approach across a broad range of disciplines and tools
- Describe the usefulness of a complex systems research paradigm for the monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of policies to reduce health inequities
- Describe key issues on SDHI (e.g., politics, social class, precariousness, geography) under a transdisciplinary systemic research approach
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 30% In-class topic debates
- 30% Group Presentation
- 40% Final Paper
Enrollment Restriction
undergraduate and interdivisional students are not permitted in this section
This course will not be offered in Barcelona, Spain this year but through a combo of pre-recorded lectures and live Zoom sessions (offered at specified times).