Time Schedule:
Stephen A. Bezruchka
HSERV 482
Seattle Campus
Explores what makes a population health or unhealthy. Examines why the USA is less healthy than all the other rich countries, despite being one of the healthiest fifty years ago.
Class description
The course considers the health of human populations whether they be countries or parts of nations, as the entities studied. What produces health in a society is different from what individuals do to be healthy. Research over the last three decades points to the social and economic environment as being critical for our health. We look at rich countries, as well as poorer ones and consider what is to be done if the US is to regain its health standing compared to other nations.
Student learning goals
Define concepts of population health and distinguish them from the health of individuals
List determinants of population health
Describe biological and sociological mechanisms through which the determinants of population health operate
Analyze the role of medical care in producing population health
Discuss current concepts of globalization and their impact on global health
Disseminate concepts learned in the course to others
General method of instruction
Lecture style with discussion about the concepts presented is strongly encouraged. Students hand in a one page reaction to the assigned reading for each of the lectures. Readings are from a text or available online with some choice made for student interest.
Recommended preparation
There are no prerequisities. Students who wish to order books for the course online beforehand need only get one of the two listed in the web syllabus below. They are quite different books, one written from a US perspective (Budrys) and the other with a more international viewpoint by a key researcher in the field (Wilkinson). Students in their evaluations note the importance of the readings and the responses submitted but that this takes some time to do.
Class assignments and grading
In addition to the reading response above, students can choose to do a dissemination project in which they discuss course ideas with strangers, either face to face, or virtually. There are choices here.
Course is credit/no credit. If you complete the assignments and attend 17 out of 19 classes and engage in discussion, you will get credit.
