Strategy Proposal Document (2,500 words) OR Pre-recorded Strategy Proposal Presentation (25 minutes)

You will produce a 2,500‑word evidence-informed strategy proposal or a 25‑minute pre‑recorded presentation that critically analyses a contemporary public health challenge affecting a defined population (e.g., climate-related health risks, widening health inequalities, non-communicable diseases, digital exclusion, or migrant health). Drawing on advanced public health theory, empirical evidence, and global and local policy frameworks, you will systematically evaluate the determinants shaping the issue and propose a coherent, evidence-based strategy aimed at improving population outcomes. Your proposal should critically assess societal, ethical, sustainability, and equity implications, and demonstrate rigorous application of public health principles, including the use of appropriate data sources and digital tools.

You are expected to integrate multidisciplinary perspectives, justify your strategic decisions through high-quality academic sources, and articulate the potential impact, feasibility, and limitations of your approach. If a pre-recorded presentation is submitted, visual communication quality, clarity of narrative, and the ability to translate complex concepts for specialist and non-specialist audiences will form part of the assessment.

Rationale

This assessment is designed to develop the advanced analytical, evaluative, and strategic planning skills expected of public health professionals. By producing a research-informed strategy, you will demonstrate the ability to synthesise complex theoretical and empirical evidence and to analyse the determinants of health within diverse and evolving systems. The task requires you to formulate robust, contextually appropriate public health interventions while critically examining the ethical, sustainability, and equity implications of your proposed approaches. You will also be expected to communicate nuanced and sophisticated arguments clearly to audiences with differing levels of expertise. Together, these capabilities reflect Level 7 expectations for autonomy, critical insight, and mastery in applying public health knowledge. The assessment closely mirrors real-world public health practice, where professionals must generate actionable strategies, defend their decisions using high-quality evidence, and anticipate the implications for policy, professional practice, and population health outcomes.

History and principles of public health
Social, commercial, and political determinants of health
Health equity and ethics in public health
Global burden of disease and health inequalities
Planetary health and sustainability
Health systems frameworks and governance
Public health law and policy basics
Cultural competence in public health practice
Digital health literacy and digital determinants of health
Community engagement and participatory approaches
SDGs and global health priorities
Critical appraisal of public health interventions

1. Critically evaluate public health principles and the determinants of health, demonstrating a systematic and contemporary understanding of their societal impact.

Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding

2. Integrate knowledge of health determinants to formulate evidence-based strategies to address particular global and local public health challenges.

Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem Solving, Knowledge & Understanding

3. Individually and collaboratively, use critical reasoning to evaluate ethical, sustainability, and equity issues in public health within diverse systems.

Programme Learning Outcome: Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Effectively communicate knowledge of determinants of health and their implications for public health policy and practice to academic and non-specialist audiences.

Programme Learning Outcome: Communication

Lectures on key concepts will be delivered in-person on campus for both the full time and part-time cohorts while the distance learning cohorts will be delivered online. This will be complemented by online group discussions among the students to explore key issues and their relevance in practice. Interactive sessions and critical appraisal of data and policies would be employed. Students will also engage in independent, self-directed learning activities and drop-in support sessions, where needed, will be provided.

Sampson, N., Tallon, L. and DeJarnett, N., (2024). Environmental Health: Foundations for Public Health. 1st ed. New York: BookAuthority Press.

Detels, R., Abdool Karim, Q., Baum, F., Li, L. and Leyland, A.H. (eds.), (2021). Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health. 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Webb P, Bain C, Page A. Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for Students and Health Professionals. 5th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2024.

Risley, K.Y., Welter, C.R., Castillo, G. and Castrucci, B.C., (2021). Leading Systems Change in Public Health: A Field Guide for Practitioners. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Zeeb, H., Maaß, L., Schultz, T. and Haug, U. (eds.), (2025). Digital Public Health: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Berlin: Springer.

What truly determines health and how can we change it? In the Foundations of Public Health and Health Determinants module, you will explore the history and principles of public health and examine the complex web of social, commercial, political, and digital determinants shaping health outcomes. This will be very valuable, particularly if you are new to the field or studying internationally. You will engage with critical issues such as health equity, ethics, and cultural competence, while considering global challenges like the burden of disease, health inequalities, planetary health, and sustainability. The module introduces health systems frameworks, governance, and the basics of public health law and policy, alongside participatory approaches and community engagement. You will also learn how global priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), influence public health strategies. Through interactive sessions and practical skills in data interpretation and critical appraisal, you will discover how these interconnected concepts explain health patterns and guide effective interventions—building a strong foundation for advanced study and practice.