Explore Public Health
Public Health examines population health, prevention and the social conditions of wellbeing. This subject guide introduces the questions, methods and practical work that help learners understand the field before choosing a formal course of study.
A strong starting point is to connect epidemiology with biostatistics. The first develops a foundation for reasoning; the second provides a setting in which to test ideas. Keep a learning journal that records assumptions, sources and questions that remain unresolved.
Four areas to investigate
Epidemiology
Connect epidemiology to the study of population health, prevention and the social conditions of wellbeing. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Biostatistics
Connect biostatistics to the study of population health, prevention and the social conditions of wellbeing. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Health policy
Connect health policy to the study of population health, prevention and the social conditions of wellbeing. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Health promotion
Connect health promotion to the study of population health, prevention and the social conditions of wellbeing. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Learn through inquiry
Map barriers to a preventive service using public evidence and an equity framework.
Begin with a question narrow enough to investigate. Decide what evidence would support an answer, document the method and explain what further work would be needed.