Aims

This module introduces students to the key principles of public health protection, illustrated by reference to common communicable diseases and environmental hazards in the UK. Students will develop an understanding of major factors contributing to health protection risk, the fundamental principles of assessment and control of these risks. Local and national methods of surveillance will be described, including their application in monitoring patterns of illness in the population and identification of outbreaks of communicable disease. Examples of communicable disease outbreaks and environmental investigations will be used to illustrate the commonly used epidemiological methods and demonstrate the importance of partnership working in health protection.

Outline Of Syllabus

The sessions include the following topics and themes:
General
• Principles of Health Protection
• Health Protection Surveillance
• Outbreaks and incidents
• Risk Perception and Communication in Health Protection
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
Communicable disease control
• Vaccine preventable disease
• Gastro-intestinal infections
• Blood-borne viral infections
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Respiratory infections: Tuberculosis and Legionella
Environmental hazards
• Introduction to toxicology
• Contaminated land and public health

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is largely an interactive module which draws on the experience of tutors and students. Most sessions are suited to seminar format with student and tutor led preparation, presentation and discussion.

The teaching and learning methods used are designed to maximise opportunities for students to reflect on and incorporate their own experience into their learning.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written assignment will test the students understanding of the principles of public health protection, and their ability to synthesise and critically appraise relevant sources of information to produce advice, strategy or other form of written commentary on key and current areas of public health protection