Module Catalogue 2024/25

HSC8003 : Social Determinants of Health - Theory and Applications

HSC8003 : Social Determinants of Health - Theory and Applications

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Laura Woods
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr Courtney McNamara
  • Lecturer: Professor Clare Bambra, Dr Steph Scott
  • 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
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Code Title
HSC8047Public Policy, Health and Health Inequalities
HSC8047Public Policy, Health and Health Inequalities
Pre Requisite Comment

Or Health and Society if taken in 2017-18 or before

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module provides students with in-depth theoretical and research-informed understanding of social determinants of health, their contribution to health inequalities and the basis for developing policies and interventions to address them. Emphasis is placed on research-led teaching by leading authorities in the field including short topic-based presentations on highly contemporary research.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will cover the following topics:

•       What do we mean by the “social determinants of health”?
•       How can we better understand how social determinants of health impact health
inequalities?
•       How do national and global policies and institutions affect social determinants of health?

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Understand the importance of various social determinants of health in contributing to health outcomes
and health inequalities
•       Understand the nature of the research evidence on social determinants of health and how this evidence
can be used to develop and evaluate public policies
• Be able to apply that understanding to specific examples of health inequalities
•       Understand the significance for health of public policies outside the health sector, and choices made by
private actors outside the health sector.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Critically assess research evidence on the social determinants of health
•       Look ‘upstream’ to consider health beyond any given health service
• Apply those skills and understandings to the discussion of health inequality using an outcome and
context of their own choosing in the form of work that meets high standards of scientific
quality and clarity.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion201:0020:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture53:0015:00Present in person (divided into appropriate slots)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study641:0064:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk11:001:00Present in person: Formative surgery on the summative assessment (optional)
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Most of the learning outcomes relate to critiquing and/or analysing the subject. Presentation will be structured to be as interactive as possible, with in-built opportunities for facilitated group work and peer interaction. To bring all the students to a similar level of comprehension, students will be asked to read and prepare for group work sessions prior to the lectures. The module talk will take the form of an optional formative surgery on the assessment, in which students will be given the opportunity to discuss queries about the summative assessment, either submitted in advance or provided on the day, no written feedback is provided.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation2M100PIP individual presentation, 10 mins plus 5 mins question and answers. Slides required to be submitted 24 hours ahead of time.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment will
a)       test students’ ability critically to assess explanations for health inequalities that are organised around social determinants of health, and
b)       invite them to apply this knowledge and skill set by focusing on a specific health inequality using an outcome and context of their own choosing.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.