SCHOOL OF 2012-2013 - St. George's University

School of Medicine
Course Descriptions
PUBH 807
Principles of Environmental Health
In this course, students learn about the interaction
between humans and physical, chemical, and biological
agents, in addition to the important impact it has on
health. This course considers important environmental
health issues facing society. Topics include environmental
physiology, radiation protection, air pollution control, water
and wastewater management, food protection, hazardous
material management, ecology and control of animal
vectors of disease, and basic community sanitation issues.
PUBH 808
Maternal and Child Health
This course covers the major issues involved in the provision
of maternal and child care services across countries, special
needs and programs targeting women and children,
changing structure of the family, domestic violence, and
child abuse. A special focus is given to issues involving
maternal and child health in the Caribbean region.
PUBH 812
Nutrition and Public Health
Nutrition and Public Health covers the roles and
applications of nutrition to assess community needs, shape
policies that affect the public’s health, and manage public
health nutrition programs. This course examines major
health conditions and diseases within populations that have
strong nutritional components.
PUBH 813
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
This course covers principles, methods, and issues in
the epidemiology of chronic diseases. Chronic Disease
Epidemiology starts with a strong focus on preventive
medicine, and explores the risk factors for various chronic
conditions. The course covers major conditions in extensive
detail, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes,
lung disease, arthritis, and neurological disorders.
PUBH 816
Occupational Health
This course provides students with the knowledge and
skills to recognize and evaluate common occupational
hazards (for example, chemical, physical, biological, and
psychosocial), which are followed by a review of common
approaches that can be taken to prevent these hazards
from causing work related diseases and injuries. The
relationship between workers and their jobs, with respect
to health outcomes, are explored from historical, scientific,
and policy perspectives. A systematic approach to the
study of the causes and extent of work-related injuries and
ill health is emphasized. Principles of occupational safety
and models of accidents, causation, and investigation are
also covered.
PUBH 824
Preventing Mental Illness: Global Perspectives and
Universal Strategies
This course provides an advanced introduction to
community psychology, public health theory, and research
with the goal of helping students to develop a global
understanding of the prevention of mental illness. This
course is divided into three components:
• Section I: Psychological Theory and Research
Psychological Theory and Research is primarily concerned
with person-environment interactions and the ways
society impacts individual and community functioning.
In this section of the course, students will explore the
framework of community psychology theory and practice.
• Section II: Prevention and Primary Care
Students will investigate the integration of psychological
theory with public health medicine. In particular, the focus
will be on the role of the primary care provider in mental
health illness prevention.
• Section III: Specific Areas of Prevention
During this section of the course, students will focus on a
variety of psychosocial issues and the practical application
of psychosocial theory and research to the prevention
of mental illness, in addition to the promotion of mental
health and wellness.
PUBH 825
Family Violence: A Public Health Problem
This course presents an in-depth study of family violence,
a growing public health problem. Characteristics of the
problem, its history, and its numerous manifestations
in specific population groups across the life span will
be studied. The role of public health agencies and their
interface with the criminal justice systems will be an
important focus. Prevention strategies and community
responses to the problem will provide students with the
opportunity to evaluate and plan a public health solution
to a specific aspect of family violence for a geographic
location of their selection.
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