Course overview
In this course, students will interpret how changes to the Earth's human populations, biological systems, climate, and ecosystems have impacted human health and to consider possible actions to safeguard health through future strategy and practice change. Content includes: Links between changes to the planet's human populations, biological systems, climate and ecosystems and human health are explored across five domains: 1) effects of extreme weather; 2) changes to infectious diseases; 3) threats to food and water supply; 4) changes to chronic diseases; 5) the impact of social inequities and conflict on human health. Conceptual health frameworks will be described and applied to contemporary public and environmental health challenges.
Course learning outcomes
- Analyse how changes to human populations, biological systems and ecosystems impact health, drawing on conceptual health frameworks to integrate human, ecosystem and animal health.
- Critically analyse the interactions between changes to human ecology and health outcomes in the context of on-going global change.
- Evaluate current strategies and propose actions for improving human health in a context of on-going global change.