Foundations of public health: definitions, scope, historical development, and population vs. individual health approaches.

Public health systems in the UK: key organisations, infrastructure, and national policy drivers shaping public health practice.

Determinants of health: social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors influencing population health outcomes.

Health inequalities: patterns and causes of disparities across socio-economic status, ethnicity, geography, and vulnerable groups.

Health promotion principles: models and theories that explain health behaviour and support behaviour change.

Ethics and values in health promotion: equity, empowerment, participation, and ethical considerations in public health interventions.

Designing health promotion interventions: planning frameworks, communication strategies, and community engagement approaches.

Evaluation of public health initiatives: assessing process, impact, outcomes, and sustainability of interventions.

Evidence and research in public health: epidemiology, data sources, and critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Global health challenges: pandemics, climate change, migration, and global inequalities and their implications for UK health and social care.

Assessment 1

Report
Weighting: 50%

Assesses module learning outcomes 1 and 2.

You will produce a 1,500‑word academic report that examines the principles underpinning public health and evaluates the impact of health determinants and inequalities on a specific population group (migrants, older adults, young people, low‑income communities, children, etc.) in the UK. You will be required to draw on academic literature, theoretical frameworks, and relevant policy to support your analysis.

Rationale: This assessment will help you to demonstrate your understanding of the foundations of public health and your ability to critically analyse the role of social determinants in shaping health outcomes. These skills form an essential basis for work within health and social care environments and will support your progression to higher‑level academic study.

Assessment 2

Group Health Promotion Campaign Plan – live or via pre-recoded video/PowerPoint
Weighting: 50%

Assesses module learning outcomes 3 and 4.

Working collaboratively, you will design and present a 15‑minute group health promotion campaign plan focused on a selected health issue affecting a specific population group. Your presentation must demonstrate the application of key health promotion principles and theories and incorporate academic research examining the influence of global issues on health and social care practice within the UK. The campaign should clearly outline the rationale, proposed methods, and expected outcomes of the intervention. It should refer to policy e.g. UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Rationale: This assessment will help you develop teamwork, communication, and presentation skills, while also enabling you to apply health promotion theory to practical intervention planning. Your ability to work as part of a team will be assessed, your communication and digital skills will not be assessed but this assessment will give you the opportunity to practice them. The assessment will strengthen your understanding of how global health challenges impact UK practice and support your ability to use evidence to inform health improvement strategies which is an important competency for future roles within health and social care.

The module will employ a range of teaching and learning approaches appropriate to Level 5 study, designed to support your knowledge acquisition, skills development, and your engagement.

Teaching will include interactive lectures to introduce key concepts and seminars to consolidate understanding through structured discussion. Small group work tasks, case studies, and problem-based learning activities will promote collaboration and application of theory to practice-based contexts.

You will engage in directed independent study, supported by guided reading and resources available via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Digital tools will be used to facilitate learning, communication, and formative assessment activities.

Opportunities for formative feedback, including draft tasks and peer review, will support academic development and progression. Collectively, these strategies aim to develop your subject knowledge, critical thinking, professional skills, and independent learning appropriate to undergraduate study.

1. Examine the principles underpinning public health within the context of health and social care.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Evaluate the impact of health determinants and inequalities on specific population groups.

Application and Problem Solving

3. Collaboratively examine the principles and theories of health promotion for the improvement of health and wellbeing.

Critical Reasoning and Collaboration

4. Examine via research of academic sources the impact of global issues on health and social care practice in the UK.

Research Skills

Cross, R. and Woodall, J., (2024). Green & Tones’ Health Promotion: Planning & Strategies. 5th ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

The focus of this book is setting out the process of planning, implementing and evaluating successful health programmes meaning that you are introduced to the ′softer side′ in an applied way - making it easier for you to see the importance of what you are studying.

Woodall, J. and Cross, R., (2021). Essentials of Health Promotion. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

How to improve and protect public health is one of the biggest questions facing the 21st century and this book explores the full range of theories, context and strategies that influence contemporary health promotion.

Upton, D. and Thirlaway, K., (2024). Promoting Healthy Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing. 3rd ed. London: Routledge.

An essential guide to promoting healthy behaviour in a multi-cultural society, providing a holistic stance that integrates both physical health, mental health, and wellbeing. With a comprehensive overview of the interplay between social class, gender, ethnicity and individual health differences the book also looks at key lifestyle issues such as eating well, smoking, drinking alcohol, and safe sex, as well as the mechanisms for behavioural change.

Holland, A., Phillips, K., Moseley, M. and Joomun, L., (2022). Fundamentals for Public Health Practice. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

A comprehensive textbook providing a complete overview of the multifaceted nature of public health practice. It explores all aspects of public health from communities and wider society, child development and early relationships, inequalities in health, safeguarding, the rapidly changing nature of society and the significance of culture, equality and diversity.

Gan, J.C. (ed.), (2024). Health Promotion Moving Forward: A Population Health Approach. New York: Springer/Elsevier.

With a focus on the structural and social determinants of health that affect health equity, this textbook dives deeply into risk factors for today's leading causes of death and morbidity, with chapters tackling health challenges, behaviours, and programs related to tobacco products, food, physical activity, mental health, addiction and substance use, and sexual health.

Gatrell, A.C. (2023) Global Health. Newcastle upon Tyne: Agenda Publishing.

This accessible and up-to-date text provides a clear introduction to global health challenges and inequalities, helping students understand how social, economic and environmental factors shape health outcomes across populations.

Why do some communities experience better health than others—and how can public health make a difference?

This module explores the key principles of public health and health promotion within the UK health and social care system. You will examine how social, economic, and environmental factors shape health outcomes and contribute to inequalities across populations.

You will learn how public health professionals use evidence, policy, and data to understand and respond to health needs at local, national, and global levels. The module also introduces key health promotion theories and behaviour change models, which you will apply to design a targeted health promotion campaign addressing a current public health issue.

Alongside this, you will explore how global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and migration influence health services and policy in the UK.

By the end of the module, you will be able to interpret public health evidence, evaluate health inequalities, and apply health promotion approaches to support healthier communities.