SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Faculty: School of Public Health

Course Name: Introduction to Public Health
Course Number: 1002100
Semester: Fall

Instructor: Khuloud Kayyat Dajani

Maha Nubani Husseini.
E-mail: khuloudkdajani@gmail.com
mhusseini@staff.alquds.edu
Office Hours: Sunday 12:30-14:00 Tuesday 12:30-14:00

Course Description :
This course is designed to introduce the philosophy, concepts, components, services, and historical
development of the public health science and profession, and explore the dimensions of good
health, and understand the effect of individual, psychological, social, economic, and
political factors on health
The course will focus on relevant public health issues, and will provide the students with an overview and
practical applications, in public health and epidemiology. Also will equip them with basic epidemiological
methods to handle public health issues, such as health promotion, communicable hereditary
and non communicable disease prevention and control.
Important issues in health care and the delivery of health care services, as well as
health problem solving and management are introduced. The course handles global public
health issues and sheds the light on unique local Palestinian challenges in health.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, the students should be able to achieve the following learning objectives: Understand the concept and importance of public health, not only in the
process of health promotion and disease prevention, but also with regard to
the tools required to achieve a healthy community.
1

Understand the different definitions of health and public health and the development of public
health through historical periods.
Understand the definitions ,concepts, and branches of Public health and primary health care

Comprehend the impact of the environment on the humans and vise

versa. As well as understand the meaning of occupational health.
Discuss major issues in health promotion, and the introduction of
strategies for promoting health and wellness.

Recognize the components, dimensions and services of public health science and practice
Develop an appreciation for the scope of prevention, and the importance of
community-based approach to health.
Explain the nature of surveillance in monitoring of the health status in the country in particular.
Explain the application of Epidemiological studies in disease control and health policies.
Increase the knowledge and practice in the use of Epidemiology, causal association, health
promotion and disease prevention.
Discuss the different local, regional and international public health issues, problems, needs and
concerns.
Introduce the important communicable hereditary and non communicable diseases, as well as
contemporary health issues and problems
Appreciate the role of Public Health professionals in improving the health status of people
throughout the Public Health care and practice
Be familiar with the Palestinian Public Health System.
Develop an understanding of the major disciplines of public health,
intervention strategies and challenges to the promotion of healthy living
standards both globally and locally.

Course Outline: Introduction to public Health

Week Topic
General introduction to the course

1.
2.
3.

Introduction to Public Health, &

History and development of Public Health
Expanding the concept of public health: Evolution of public health
Challenges to public health. Equity and health.
Eid Aladha

5.

Public health issues and problems :situation Khuloud

analysis
Public health Projects & Programs: Problem Khuloud
solving and project design in Health
Measuring Health and Disease: Health Indicators Khuloud
2

health:

Demographic

and Maha

Expanding the concept

epidemiologic transition

7.

public

Maha

4.

6.

of

Khuloud&
Maha
Maha

8-

Med-Term and presentation

910-

Health promotion- the new public health

Primary Health Care Alma Ata a turning point for public health
Health and development
Health a multidisciplinary approach

1112
13
14-

Scope of prevention
Epidemiological studies : Types of Studies
Causation and causal association in health
Health policy and Management:
Palestinian National health system,and Health
status in Palestine.
Environmental and Occupational Health
Final Exam

15
16

Khuloud&
Maha
Maha
Maha
Khuloud
Khuloud
Khuloud
Khuloud

Maha
Maha
&Khuloud

Evaluation:
Midterm exam: 25%
Health Project: 20 %
Participation & Attendance:5%
Written Exam: 50%

References:
Basic Epidemiology; 2nd Edition ,R Bonita, R Beaglehole, T Kjellstrom.,WHO. (2006)
Health services management .
Introduction to Public Health, Scheider.H(2000)
Manual of Epidemiology for District Health Management, Vaughan.J.P & Morrow.RH
(1989)
Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Maxcy Rosenau-Last (2008)
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,Cassens.B (1992)
Public Health and Health Care
Special Reading Materials
The new public health; Health and Self in the Age of Risk, Petersen.A &
Lupton.D(1996).
WHO Reports
(2007) .
(1989) ..
Ethical Considerations :All students at Alquds University should be familiar with the
Universitys policy on academic integrity. The strength of the university depends on academic
and personal integrity. You must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations include cheating on
exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments, improper use of the Internet and electronic devices,
unauthorized collaboration, alteration of graded assignments, forgery and falsifications, lying, and
3

facilitating academic dishonesty. All the examinations are closed book. No notes may be used
during the examinations, nor may you confer with your fellow students or look at their
examination papers for answers. I will follow the official University Policy regarding dishonesty
and misconduct; penalties may range from a minimum of a zero on the exam to a maximum of
expulsion from the department or even the university.
General Etiquette Please turn off cell phones and please do not carry on conversations with your
neighbors once class has started. Such behavior is very distracting to me and to the other students
around you and I consider it highly disrespectful.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It is my responsibility to maintain a productive learning environment where every student has the
equal opportunity to perform their best, and I take this responsibility very seriously. If at any time
you have a problem with me, with a member of the class, or with the course in general, please do
not hesitate to let me know so that I may have the opportunity to address the problem.
Good luck!