week 3,2

2

PH587: Health Behavior

Pre-requisites

None

Required Text/Materials

While there is not a required textbook for this course, there will be links to websites, videos, articles, and other supplemental materials posted in the course content in blackboard. Students are expected to read all materials posted unless explicitly marked as optional. Students will also need Microsoft Word (or another program that is compatible) and Microsoft PowerPoint (or compatible program). Additionally, Blackboard will be used for submitting some class assignments, as well as taking exams. Please familiarize yourself with that platform.

Course Description

Applications of concepts and theories used in social and behavioral sciences to identify and conceptualize solutions to public health problems.

Course Goals or Overview

This course will cover health-related theories and models as well as ethical considerations when addressing public health issues.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, students will be able to successfully demonstrate the following objectives based on the CEPH competencies.

1. Explain the principles and concepts of health behavior theories and models that are used in public health research and practice.

2. Apply selected theories and models to address public health problems.

3. Apply principles of ethical analysis to public health issues.

Course Assessments

All assignments are due 11:59pm Sunday evening (unless otherwise stated). Written assignments are to be double-spaced, one-inch margins, and in a standard font. References and citations should be in APA format. The Purdue Website has an excellent tool for assistance with APA if you are unfamiliar. This link is also included in Blackboard.

Reading: Students are responsible for reading/watching weekly material posted in Blackboard prior to the week’s class meeting. Please come prepared to discuss, contribute, and participate.

Quizzes: There will be quizzes throughout the course of the semester. Students will access these via Blackboard. These are designed to ensure students are keeping up with and comprehending course materials. Students may use their notes and course material for these; however, answers must be in student’s own words. These are untimed and may only be completed once. Assesses objectives 1-3.

Homework: Students will be assigned several assignments throughout this course. These may be individual or group assignments. These assignments are designed to allow students an opportunity to apply course concepts. Assess objectives 1-3.

Intervention: Over the course of the semester, you will work on a group project culminating in a written and presented (hypothetical) intervention. Students will work together to prepare a written paper as well as a power point presentation of your intervention. The intervention MUST be based on a health theory/model and supported with a brief literature review. This project will take a substantial amount of time, so I encourage students to start as soon as possible. This will allow students to apply the knowledge and skills gained through this course to a practical setting. This project should be thorough, feasible, and free of grammatical errors. Assesses objectives 2-3.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is essential to students’ intellectual development, and is a core value of the MPH program. Thus, the work you do in this course – and all MPH courses -- is expected to reflect academic integrity through responsible behaviors, including avoiding plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, cheating, or other types of academic dishonesty. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty may receive a failing grade on the assignment/assessment, or a failing grade in a the course. Per policy, students may also be reported to the Office of Judicial Affairs for disciplinary sanctions and/or the Graduate School for dismissal from the program. A student who believes a faculty member has dealt unfairly with him/her/them in a course involving academic dishonesty may seek relief through the Student Complaint Procedure.

 

Diversity, Inclusivity, & Equity

We promote social justice by creating a respectful, collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment through teaching, service, and research.

The strength and success of WKU’s MPH program is built on the foundation of a wide range of perspectives and experiences. We embrace diverse backgrounds, embodiments, and experiences and are committed to fostering inclusive and accessible environments.  We respect physical, social, and cultural differences among us, which may include, but are not limited to: age, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender identity and presentation, citizenship and immigration status, national origin, race, religious and political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status. Please talk with your instructor, advisor, or MPH staff member right away if you experience disrespect in this class or while part of our program. Whenever possible, we will work to address it in an educational manner.   Resources on inclusive language and document accessibility are provided in the MPH Guidebook and MPH Student organizational site on Blackboard.

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with University policy, students with disabilities who require academic and/or auxiliary accommodations for this course must contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center located in Downing Student Union, Room 1074.  The SARC can be reached by phone number at 270-745-5004 [270-745-3030 TTY] or via email at [email protected]. Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a faculty notification letter (FNL) from The Student Accessibility Resource Center.

Title IX/ Discrimination & Harassment

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to supporting faculty, staff and students by upholding WKU’s Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (#0.070) and Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040). Under these policies, discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct based on sex/gender are prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex/gender-based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator, Deborah Wilkins, 270-745-5398 or Title IX Investigators, Michael Crowe, 270-745-5429 or Joshua Hayes, 270-745-5121. Please note that while you may report an incident of sex/gender based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to a faculty member, WKU faculty are “Responsible Employees” of the University and MUST report what you share to WKU’s Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Investigator. If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you confidentiality, you may contact WKU’s Counseling and Testing Center at 270-745-3159.

The Learning Center Peer Tutoring Services

The Learning Center (TLC) provides free tutoring services that empower students to achieve academic success. Trained peer tutors are available to review course content, answer questions, and demonstrate effective study strategies. TLC offers individual appointments and group sessions (PASS) for hundreds of undergraduate courses. For more information or to make an appointment, visit our website.

WKU COVID Statement

All students are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Out of respect for the health and safety of the WKU community and in adherence with CDC guidelines and practices of all public universities and colleges in Kentucky, the University requires that a cloth face covering (reusable or disposable) that covers both the nose and mouth must be worn at all times when in public areas within all buildings. Students must properly wear face coverings while in class regardless of the room size or the nature of the classroom activities.  Students who fail to wear a face covering as required will be in violation of the WKU Student Code of Conduct and will be asked to comply or will face disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the University. Accommodations can be requested in special cases through the Student Accessibility and Resource Center (SARC):  270-745-5004 (voice), 270-745-3030 (TTY), or 270-288-0597 (video).  

 

All students must immediately report a positive Covid-19 test result or close contact with a person who has tested positive to the Covid-19 Assistance Line at 270-745-2019. The assistance line is available to answer questions regarding any Covid-19 related issue. This guidance is subject to change based on requirements set forth by public health agencies or the office of the governor. Please refer to the Healthy on the Hill website for the most current information. www.wku.edu/healthyonthehill

MPH Competencies

This course contributes to the development of the following competencies:

MPH COMPETENCY	Obj.
Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health
1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice
Public Health & Health Care Systems
5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health systems across national and international settings
6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity.
Planning & Management to Promote Health
7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health
8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs
9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management, specifically after funding for a project is secured
11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs
Policy in Public Health
12. Discuss the policy-making process.
13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
Leadership
16. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue; such principles may include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision making
17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
Communication
18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
19. Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content
Interprofessional and/or Intersectoral Practice
21. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health
Systems Thinking
22. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative
WKU MPH Program Competencies
23. Apply health behavior theories and models to address public health problems.	2
24. Locate, cite, and integrate credible and/or peer-reviewed literature into professionally written products.
25. Apply methods of field epidemiology.
26. Describe the impact and importance of social determinants of health.
27. Identify the direct and indirect population health effects of environmental hazards (biological, chemical and physical) on humans, animals and the ecology.