PHCA3512 Public Health Frameworks for Change

2020

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture fortnightly
1 x 2-hour tutorial fortnightly

PHCA8008 has been successfully completed

Assignments

This topic is action-oriented and focused on practice. It explores the role of civil society and protest movements in advocating for and initiating change to the daily conditions of living to contribute to achieving population health equity and improvements in the health of marginalised groups. Specifically, the topic examines how bottom-up movements of solidarity and action with a shared commitment to the values of social justice and fairness challenge the power structures that sustain daily living conditions that produce health inequity. Through specific case studies of social movements for health equity – for example, historical examples, climate change and the environment, women’s health, mental health and anti-conflict movements – students will explore the contribution of civil society to advances in health and health care. Students will be provided with tools and building blocks to go beyond thinking in the abstract and utilise opportunities to apply them to real world situations, such as their own workplaces or other existing initiatives.

The aim of this topic is to enable students to develop their capacity to apply an understanding of how civil society movements contribute to changes in health systems and in the broader power relationships that shape population health equity.

On completion of this topic, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Apply to their future career an understanding of how civil society has and continues to challenge how power, money and resources shape conditions of living that produce inequity

2. Analyse how civil society movements contribute to public health through advocacy for social justice, health systems change and health equity.