COM-36806 Advances in Health Promotion

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures16
Literature study
Problem-based learning12
Tutorial12
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)dr. KT Verkooijen
Lecturer(s)dr. KT Verkooijen
dr. M de Bruin
prof. dr. MA Koelen
Examiner(s)dr. KT Verkooijen
dr. M de Bruin

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

COM-11306; COM-30306

Contents:

The field of health promotion has facilitated the development of new approaches towards improving the health of individuals and communities that go beyond approaches such as disease prevention and population health. Some of the distinguishing features include: a holistic view on health, a focus on determinants of health (biology, social and physical environments, lifestyles, health services), and the use of multiple strategies to promote the health of individuals and communities. In this course we discuss four action areas for HP: developing skills for health, strengthen community action, create supportive environments, and building healthy public policies. In each of these areas the role of the three key health promotion strategies: enable, mediate and advocate is illustrated. Specific attention will be paid to capacity building; building partnerships and alliances; and to policies, regulation and legislation for the promotion of public health. Based on practical examples, factors contributing to success or failure of health promotion are discussed, as well as their implications for theory, research and practice.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course students will be able to:
- distinguish health promotion from related concepts, such as disease prevention and population health;
- apply theories for health promotion at an individual, community and societal level;
- describe the meaning and importance of the action areas of health promotion;
- apply the key features and values that shape health promotion research and practice;
- identify different health promotion strategies and select appropriate (mix) of strategies.

Activities:

The course consists of lectures, literature study, discussion groups and writing a project proposal in tutor groups. During the lectures the important concepts are explained, discussed and illustrated with practical examples. Students each week have to write a critical reflection on the literature belonging to these lectures. Lectures and literature study encompass 80 hours. In addition, students work in small tutor groups to develop a health promotion project proposal, focusing on the action areas and key strategies for health promotion. Each group will have a tutor for supervision. The group work consists of 88 hours.

Examination:

The final mark for this course is based on:
- five individually written critical reflection papers on the obliged literature which contributes 1/2 of the final mark;
- the group project which contributes 1/2 of the final mark.

Literature:

Literature related to the lectures is provided in a reader which is available at the secretary of COM, one week before the course starts. For the group work and the individual assignments participants have to search additional literature.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MMEManagement, Economics and Consumer StudiesMScE: Health and Society1AF
Restricted Optional for: MNHNutrition and HealthMScA: Epidemiology and Public Health1AF