SA4D1      Half Unit
Health and Population in Contemporary Developed Societies

This information is for the 2013/14 session.

Teacher responsible

Mr Mikko Myrskyla TBA

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Health, Population and Society. This course is available on the MSc in International Health Policy, MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) and MSc in Social Research Methods. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

This course brings together the main issues in health, population and society in developed countries, including the role of social and biological factors in determining health and mortality. Course content includes the relationship between health and societal changes: family changes and their implications for population health; social support and health, health of older people and coping with ageing in the 21st century. Prospects for health and mortality in decades to come. Definition and use of measurements of health; self-reported, 'objective' measures and health service use indicators. Trends in inequalities in health and the explanations for these. Key issues in public health in developed countries especially in the light of expected demographic changes. Policy responses to health, population and societal changes.

Teaching

10 weekly lectures and 10 weekly seminars, MT.

Indicative reading

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2000 words) in the LT.

Student performance results

(2009/10 - 2011/12 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 7.2
Merit 66.7
Pass 24.6
Fail 1.4

Key facts

Department: Social Policy

Total students 2012/13: 26

Average class size 2012/13: 13

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information