PUBH 3007 Disease Prevention and Control

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 300867

Coordinator Maggie Davidson Opens in new window

Description Globally we are witnessing an epidemiological transition with the emergence and re-emergence of diseases through social, political and environmental changes including rapid urbanisation, social media influence, international migration/travel, political instability and climate change. This unit of study will provide students with an introduction into the epidemiology of public health diseases of significance in Australia and internationally through exploration of current strategies for the detection, monitoring and control of existing and emerging diseases. The principles of risk management will also be discussed and applied in relation to disease prevention, containment or eradication including vector-borne, vaccine preventable, zoonotic, food and waterborne disease.

School Science

Discipline Environmental Studies, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects PUBH 3006 - Disease Prevention and Control

Assumed Knowledge

A background knowledge of microbiology, and epidemiology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Discuss the underlying principles of disease prevention and control (physical, chemical, biological and social)
Discuss the role of social, environmental and political factors in the transmission, propagation, prevention and control of disease
Research and apply data on specific disease prevention and control issues from relevant scholarly, government and industry sources.
Interpret principles of risk assessment and risk management in relation to select environmental health risks and hazards
Evaluate the epidemiology and significance of selected communicable diseases both locally and globally
Investigate and prepare risk management response for selected communicable disease/public health hazards in relation to relevant public health legislation.

Subject Content

- Epidemiological principles of disease prevention, surveillance, investigation and control
- The nature, transmission and control of communicable diseases of public health Importance
- Risk management and Risk communication in prevention and control of infectious diseases
- interpretation of Epidemiological data on disease surveillance and outbreaks
- social, political and environmental Factors in disease prevention and control. Australian disease surveillance and control programs

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Participation	Weekly	20	N	Group
Report	1500 +/- 10%	20	N	Individual
Report	2,000 words	50	N	Individual
Short Report	500 words +/- 10%	10	N	Individual

Prescribed Texts

There is no specific textbook that the students are expected to purchase. All readings will be orientated towards articles published within international peer-reviewed journals to which Western Sydney University subscribes.
However, students are expected to read this introductory text, which is free to download:
Shaw, M., Dorling, D., & Mitchell, R. (2001). Health, Place and Society. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited. http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/publications/healthplacesociety/health_place_and_society.pdf
Students are also required to familiarise themselves with this document (also free to download):
CSDH (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Final Report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Geneva, World Health Organization http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241563703_eng.pdf

Teaching Periods