Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401390

Coordinator Anna Spencer Opens in new window

Description Health professionals work in a complex sector governed by policy on population health and healthcare. This subject considers the role of policy in international and national healthcare. It examines policy making as both a rational and linear process responding to population health needs in just and fair ways, and the reality of policy making which occurs within a complex socio-political and economic environment shaped by powerful groups. Therefore, the aim of this subject is to consider how health professionals can develop effective evidence-based policy and the role advocacy can play in the health policy arena to engender greater health equity.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Health Promotion

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) PUBH 1012 OR
PUBH 1010

Equivalent Subjects PUBH 2013 - Health Politics Policy and Planning LGYA 7182 - Health Politics Policy and Planning PUBH 3011 - Health Politics Policy and Planning

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically analyse international and national health policies and the policy making process;
2. Identify the role of politics in the policy making process and demonstrate how it influences health outcomes for populations;
3. Identify and demonstrate how context e.g. socio-political, historical, ideological and economic factors shape Australian health policy;
4. Determine how quantitative and qualitative research can inform and create evidence-based health policy;
5. Evaluate the role of major interest groups (advocacy and lobbyists) in the policy making process;
6. Identify the health policy needs of vulnerable populations;
7. Develop an understanding of and skills in health advocacy work;
8. Demonstrate inter professional health competencies in communication, negotiation, cooperation and teamwork.

Subject Content

- Defining goals, purpose and scope of health policy
- historical and political aspects of international and Australian health policy and health care system
- ideological approaches to health including health care provision
- structural interest groups, pressure groups and political processes
- public policy types e.g. Distributive, Regulatory, self-Regulatory or redistributive
- policy co-ordination and intersectoral collaboration
- theories of power, choice/decision-making and The concept of rationing
- The politics of policy making
- The role of Advocacy in creating change to public policy
- evidence based policy making process and what is good health policy
- examine how research shapes policy decisions
- The agency of groups and individuals to Challenge power and bring about policy change
- lobbying and its impact on The public health agenda and policy formulation
- interest groups and Advocacy
- community participation/active Citizenship and empowerment in health