The module aims to provide a foundation for other modules by giving an introduction to key terms and concepts that underpin public health sciences and practice. The module contrasts individualised and population approaches to improving health, and discusses the relative influences of genetic, prenatal and lifestyle determinants of disease. It will focus on understanding the social determinants of health, understanding the theories, measurement and empirical evidence related to specific social conditions and experiences such as socioeconomic position, discrimination, social networks and support, work conditions, ecological level neighborhood and community social conditions, and social and economic policies. Biological and psychological mechanisms by which social conditions influence health will be discussed. The course builds on a basic understanding of society and health and of epidemiology.
This module will also include the analysis of the sociological aspects of health and illness in populations to favour a better understanding of public health practice. It will cover the common concepts of the sociology of health and illness; the role of medicine in society; structural explanations for social patterns and experiences of illness; the role of social, cultural and psychological factors in the aetiology of illness and disease; inequalities in the access to health care, including social class, gender, culture and ethnicity.

Main teachers

• Jose Jesus Martin Martin (Spain)
• Antonio Daponte Codina (Spain)

Workload and ECTS

Class workload	Total workload	ECTS
120	190	8

Health Promotion attempts to enable people to take control over and improve their own health. It builds on knowledge from behavioural science that individual behaviour and health are determined by the social, physical and economic environment. This module will consider the nature of health promotion, the associated ideological dilemmas, current understanding of individual and group behaviours, methods of promoting health and the evaluation of health promotion. This module aims to develop an understanding of health promotion and screening for application in the practice of public health.

Main teachers

• Antonio Daponte Codina (Spain)
• María del Mar Garcia Calvente (Spain)

Workload and ECTS

Class workload	Total workload	ECTS
120	230	10

Research methods are a key part of public health practice. This module will cover epidemiological concepts, statistical methods, quantitative and qualitative research and critical appraisal. It explores practical and conceptual issues in the design, conduct, analysis and evaluation of human studies through the discussion of current research and methodologies.

 Epidemiological concepts include those of causation, confounding and bias as well as the design of research studies. Statistical methods cover the use and understanding of all the common tests used within public health. Quantitative research methods include randomised controlled trials. Qualitative methods include the use of focus groups, interviews and Delphi methods. Critical appraisal will range from reading individual papers to the development of systematic reviews, as well as applying research findings to policy. This module also aims to develop a systematic understanding of the main sources, uses and limitations of routinely available health information and a comprehensive understanding of the applications of relevant techniques. The module will cover population censuses, basic demography, morbidity and mortality data, calculation of rates and ratios for measuring health status, classification of diseases and notification systems for births, deaths and specific diseases. The strengths, uses, interpretation and limitations of routine health information will be addressed.

Main teachers

• Isabel Ruiz Perez (Spain)
• Ricardo Ocana Riola (Spain)
• Alberto Fernandez Ajuria (Spain)

Workload and ECTS

Class workload	Total workload	ECTS
200	330	17

Public health professionals work in complex organisations and require an understanding of how organisations function and of how to influence organisations in a way that promotes the public health agenda. This module will examine the theories of organisation and methods of organisational analysis, management and change and the relevance of these theories and principles to health care systems and to public health practice. This module aims to develop a systematic understanding, and a critical awareness, of the key theories and concepts of management and organisational theory as it applies to health care organisations and to public health practice. It explores the managerial skills required of public health professionals in any setting - leadership negotiations, interdisciplinary teams, and communication. It also focuses on the policy process from a political perspective, identifying key stakeholders, political processes, government structure, and the role of conflict resolution in the formation of health policy in different European countries. Finally, the objective is to equip students with the ability to critically review the full range of techniques used in economic evaluation, apply the basic principles to the design of an economic evaluation health care delivery and assess the role and implications of economic evaluation for health policy.

Main teachers

• Elena Gonzalo Jiménez (Spain)
• José Luis Bimbela Pedrola (Spain)
• Guadalupe Carmona (Spain)

Workload and ECTS

Class workload	Total workload	ECTS
200	370	17