Health Geography

Overview

The module provides a theoretical and practical background to the geographical study of health. The module encompasses three broad topics; health and environment, health inequalities, and health policy. Under these themes, we will demonstrate to students the importance of geography in influencing an individual’s health status, how to produce and collect empirical evidence to support these theories, and also provide an understanding of how research and evidence can influence public health policy. The module will have a practical and applied focus, with emphasis on solving real-world problems. It will also introduce the students to using R, which will be of great benefit to their future study/career. It will also include guest lectures from outside of the department and QUB to reflect our collaborations and multi-disciplinary approach.

Learning Objectives

After completing this module, students will develop:

• An understanding of how the environment influences both mental and physical health
• An understanding of the extent and nature of health inequalities and the challenges faced in overcoming them
• Experience in using R
• Experience in analysing secondary data from at least two countries with different population data systems including Northern Ireland and Finland
• Skills in interpreting analysed outputs and applying them to solve real-world problems
• Oral and visual communication skills in the form of a PowerPoint presentation
• Written communication skills in the form of an essay and report
• Experience in working effectively as part of a team

Skills

Key skills

• The ability to think and argue critically and undertake problem solving
• The ability to undertake self-directed learning
• The ability to work within a team.

Subject related skills

• The ability to communicate geographical ideas by evidenced written, oral and visual means
• The ability to produce descriptive tables and basic graphs using R
• The ability to apply analytical techniques or approaches to geographical information
• The ability to interpret a range of information

Employability skills

• Groupwork, leadership and time-management skills
• Project planning and oral skills
• Report writing, data synthesis and presentation skills

Assessment

Compulsory elements must be successfully completed in order to pass the modules and therefore only elements which can be monitored should be included under this heading. Lecture, seminar or tutorial attendance should not be listed unless the percentage attendance required is specified.