Despite significant advances in medicine and public health, inequities in health persist. Understanding health on a population level is an approach that seeks to improve the health of the whole population, unravel variations in health outcomes, and to identify effective strategies for reducing or eliminating inequities. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of 1) how population and public health are defined and measured; and 2) the determinants of population health.
This course examines the role of physical activity (PA) and sleep in promoting and maintaining population health. Students will explore the scientific literature for the impact of PA and sleep on chronic disease prevention and management, mental health, and overall well-being. Also, students will gain the knowledge and skillset to measure sleep and PA data with own experiential research. Lastly, the course will address factors that influence PA and sleep behaviors across different populations, including environmental, social, cultural, and policy-related factors.
Spatial epidemiology focuses on the study of geographical variations in health outcomes, disease patterns, and their determinants, providing valuable insights into the relationships between health and place. This course introduces students to the principles of spatial epidemiology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application in understanding and addressing population health challenges. Primarily designed for students in Population Health, this course also offers valuable exposure for students from other disciplines interested in leveraging GIS in health sciences. The curriculum is structured to provide a blend of practical skills and foundational concepts. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and hands-on lab sessions. Lectures emphasize theoretical concepts and key principles of spatial epidemiology, and then lab sessions provide practical experience with GIS tools and techniques to analyze real-world health data.
Spring 2025 Final Presentation
Fall 2023 Final Presentations
Spring 2023 Final Presentations