POPLHLTH 732 - Population Youth Health

Youth injury prevention, resiliency factors and reproductive issues, and advocacy for young people. How do you make a difference in youth health? This course introduces key concepts in population youth health and utilises an evidence based approach and New Zealand practice examples to consider how youth health can be improved in communities and populations.

Goals of the course

The principal role of population youth health is to prepare students for a role in youth health in a variety of locations and sectors. In doing this, students are exposed to current research and practice relating to youth health within a framework of population health, evidence-based health care and youth development. The course goals are to:

Identify the rationale, determinants, and means to assess needs & strengths in youth health from a population perspective.

Use these skills to help assess and evaluation of population strategies and programmes focusing on the health and wellbeing of youth.

Translate ones professional orientation into population level applications associated with the organisation and provision of community based health activities and systems changes.

Study and discuss with colleagues drawn from public health, clinical, economic, administrative and research backgrounds opportunities for improvement of the health of young people (and families) in the community. 

Learning outcomes 

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Define, apply and interpret major indicators and measures of health status relevant to the youth population using data from vital statistics, census, surveys, research reports and services on the health of young people.

• Describe the major youth health issues in New Zealand and the salient differences between populations in New Zealand and between NZ and other countries.

• Understand of the youth health sector, its various constituents, settings and current limitations to more effective health outcomes.

• Know how youth health and development policy is developed, promoted and enacted in New Zealand.

• Describe risk and protective factors and their relationship to healthy development, resilience and both positive and negative health outcomes.

• Identify essential gaps in existing programmes/activities serving youth and to consider the necessary measures required to assure the appropriate activities for the promotion of healthy young people. 

Content outline 

Broad overviews of Population Health Approaches; Youth Health Status; Contexts and Youth Development; Policy and Systems

More in depth look at selected topics including Teenage pregnancy; Obesity; mental health promotion and illness prevention; Substance use prevention; violence; media.

This course is required towards the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences in Youth Health specialisation. It may also be taken as part of a Health Promotion pathway in a public health programme.

It is an optional course for the BHSc Honours programme.

The course may also be taken as part of a nursing, mental health; drug and alcohol, medical science and a general health science programme and is suitable for students who intend working with in a wide range of health, education and social service settings.

This course is delivered online with one day at Tāmaki Campus.

Teaching of this course will reflect the view that effective learning occurs when students are active participants rather than passive observers. An interactive teaching approach will therefore be followed whenever possible. CANVAS discussion groups are used to facilitate class interaction and group work. To get the best out of the course you are encouraged to keep up to date and participate in the discussion groups. These provide an opportunity to question, debate, and analyse the material covered in the readings and/or presented in the lecture material.

Campus teaching dates

The course is online with one day Tamaki at campus. Please see your timetable on SSO or Building 730 Reception noticeboard on the day for the room details.

Learning resources 

All material is provided on line, with links to the readings through the library resources. There is no prescribed text.

Assessment 

100% Coursework:

• Four short answer question tests throughout the semester to assess students understanding of the material covered 35%.

• Class discussion contribution 5%

• Two assignments each worth 30% (needs analysis 30%; presentation and report 30%)

There is no final examination.