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Unit of study_
GLOH5135: Epidemiology for District Health Systems
2027 unit information
Health systems are complex and multi-faceted, even more so when inequity is a primary challenge. When you start to get a handle on these systems and begin to identify where and how you might address inequity within them, you will find that the potential for transformational impact in improving the health and wellbeing of the populations being served is greatest at the district-level. This is because the district-level is the interface between the formal public health structures and the communities they serve. It is where burdens of disease, disability, and systemic neglect, are most readily observed and addressed. In this course we will develop the skills required to manage, and transform, district health systems. We will learn how to obtain, analyse, interpret, and use epidemiological data and intelligence for decision-making in engagement with the population being served. We will also learn to concomitantly attend to the political economy of both the local and broader contexts within which these systems function. With a focus on evidence-based decision making, the unit will provide an understanding of how district health system managers use epidemiological knowledge in responding to day-to-day and episodic challenges, as they develop, implement, and evaluate interventions in the service of communities. We will highlight the perspectives of health administrators and policymakers as well as health workers and providers, advocates and activists, patients and communities. In a case study approach, the unit will provide concrete examples to ensure students have a conceptual understanding of the complex and multi-faceted nature of health system challenges and solutions, and skills to make a practical difference in health systems. Students will ultimately know how to use knowledge in decision-making to implement health-promoting and equity-promoting measures within district health systems.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Public Health |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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HPOL5001 or MIPH5134 or MIPH5135 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of health systems and their impact on public health in developing countries.
- LO2. Identify key issues under each of the main health systems components.
- LO3. Apply analytical frameworks for understanding health systems challenges in developing countries.
- LO4. Understand a number of different health systems models in use in developing countries and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- LO5. Develop research proposals to address key health system knowledge gaps.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 2 2026
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2027
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 2 2027
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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