MPH8009 : Health Improvement: Theory, Policy and Practice
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ryc Aquino
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Benjamin Rigby
- Owning School: Population Health Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the theory, policy and practical issues relating to improving the health of the population. It will examine, using real-world examples, factors linked with health and wellbeing, reduction of health inequalities and illness prevention. This will include the wider determinants of health and behaviour change.
Health promotion intervention development and evaluation will be examined, supported by practical examples of the application of theory in relation to a wide range of public health issues. The module will consider a range of approaches to evaluating public health interventions.
Outline Of Syllabus
Examples of topics that can covered in the module are as follows:
•Health promotion and disease prevention
•Public health intervention theory, models and methods
•Theories of behaviour change and health
•Ethical and political principles/perspectives of health improvement
•Public health intervention implementation and evaluation within the NHS and other sectors
•Community approaches to health improvement such as community assets, salutogenesis
•Patient and public involvement in developing, evaluating and implementing public health interventions
•A range of topics are covered as examples in sessions, including COVID-19, diet and nutrition, obesity, mental health, tobacco control and smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | Preparation and completion of assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 3:00 | 15:00 | Present in person: Taught material |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | Reading around topic |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The nature of the subject and key learning outcomes are best suited to a participatory approach to learning, with ample time for discussion and problem-solving small group work.
Extensive self-directed learning, in particular through guided reading and web-based research, will complement classroom teaching.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 2 | M | 100 | Poster (or other visual output e.g., animation), with an in-person Q&A. 5 minutes presentation and 10 minutes Q&A. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The poster is an authentic type of assessment as it reflects the work done by both health improvement practitioners and researchers. Students will choose a health-related topic from the module, and design/produce a theoretically informed health promotion intervention in relation to this. They will apply appropriate behavioural and intervention development techniques to communicate health promotion information to their audience, in both visual and oral presentation.
The presentation will detail a critical rationale of the chosen intervention and its elements, while the subsequent Q&A will further examine the appropriateness of the intervention for effecting public health improvement.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MPH8009's Timetable