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The Social Determinants of Health

Prerequisite:

Introduction to Online Learning is required prior to participating in any of the School's Internet-based courses.

Description:

Provides an overview of social, political, and economic influences on health and their role in producing health inequalities within and among populations. Emphasizes key axes of inequality: gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Explains conceptual foundations for social determinants of health and health inequalities. Summarizes evidence linking selected social, political, and economic factors to health and the pathways by which they influence health. Highlights importance of understanding social determinants of health, despite challenges of designing interventions targeting social determinants.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and define the primary social, political and economic factors that influence population health
2. Describe the evidence linking these factors to health outcomes within and among populations
3. Explain the ways that these factors lead to health inequalities within and among populations
4. Explain what is meant by structural determinants of health, how they contribute to understanding population health, and why they can be difficult to target with interventions
5. Describe the general pathways through which social, political and economic factors affect health outcomes

Methods of Assessment:

This course is evaluated as follows:

• 20% Participation
• 40% Interim
• 40% Final

Instructor Consent:

No consent required

Jointly Offered With:

• PFRH