Overview

Public Health, studied within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at The University of Western Australia, looks at why health and illness are distributed as they are across communities and what can be done to improve wellbeing for whole populations. It applies medical research and evidence-based practice to local and global health problems, including both infectious and non-infectious disease. Students build a strong scientific base alongside skills in investigation, critical thinking and problem solving.

What You'll Learn

• Health and illness in human populations, and the social, environmental, biological and historical influences behind them

• The foundations of global health

• Epidemiology and biostatistics, including how the scale, causes and risk factors of health problems are measured

• Disease prevention and control

• Aboriginal health and wellbeing

• Communication and project planning in health

• Health promotion, health leadership, and health systems and policy

• Health research design and methods

• Community engagement through visits to health organisations, volunteer work experience and field trips

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to discuss major health issues at local and global levels and evaluate the biological, cultural, social, environmental, economic, historical and political factors that shape health. They will use epidemiological and statistical reasoning to appraise evidence and recognise where prevention is possible. Students will be able to plan and appraise health programs, communicate effectively about health, and show an understanding of the socio-cultural context of health for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other Indigenous peoples. Graduates will be prepared for roles in health promotion, epidemiology, health policy and administration, or for postgraduate study in areas such as public health and medicine.