39331 - PUBLIC HEALTH

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Jordi Sarola Gassiot

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 3

• English

This course will be taught entirely in EnglishAll classes, seminars, activities, course materials, audiovisual resources, assessments, assignments and the final exam will also be conducted in English. This applies to ALL aspects of the course.

Notice: A sufficient level of academic English is recommended. to guarantee full participation, understanding and assimilation of all classes, participation in discussions and completion of assessments. Given the considerable amount of academic articles and textbooks published in English within the area of ​​health sciences, it is essential that undergraduate students are able to read effectively in English.. Each student is responsible for ensuring that they can follow the course content in English.. Teachers cannot be held responsible for academic difficulties arising from an insufficient level of language proficiency. We wish you much success in the course.

The Public Health course is part of Subject Area 5: Public Health and Community Nutrition. Public health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of populations through health promotion, disease prevention, and epidemiological surveillance. It adopts a collective, evidence-based approach to addressing the social, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health. It coordinates policies and programs, and provides guidance to reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life. It includes areas such as food safety, vaccination, occupational health, and health planning. Its goal is to achieve the highest possible level of health for the community as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individuals.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free from sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, both towards students and teachers. We trust that, together, we can create a safe space in which we can make mistakes and learn to avoid the prejudices of others.

TOPIC 1. Public Health and Health Policies

• General concepts of public health
• The Spanish Global Health Strategy 2025–2030 (EESG)
• Definitions, models, objectives and functions of public health

TOPIC 2. Health Systems

• Overview of health systems and the Spanish National Health System
• National and international organizations responsible for public health
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relationship with health

TOPIC 3. Health Promotion

• Health determinants
• Health promotion principles and strategies
• Health education: concepts and approaches
• Primary and community care: philosophy, structure and training
• Community participation and empowerment

TOPIC 4. Disease Prevention and Health Maintenance

• Levels of prevention: primary, secondary and tertiary
• Primary prevention: national routine vaccination schedule
• Malaria prevention: levels, screenings and vaccinations
• Public health problems related to nutrition: cancer, obesity, diabetes and micronutrient deficiencies
• Traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) and phytotherapy in disease prevention (WHO strategy)

TOPIC 5. Health Protection

• Environmental health and the role of the dietitian-nutritionist
• Management and control of healthcare waste
• Food safety and hygiene principles

TOPIC 6. Epidemiological Surveillance

• Basic concepts and objectives of epidemiological surveillance
• Main types of surveillance systems
• Outbreak detection and control
• Use and interpretation of health data
• Examples of foodborne disease and nutrition surveillance

SUBJECT 7. Mental Health as a Priority Area in Public Health

• Social determinants of mental disorders
• Overview of the epidemiology and prevention of mental disorders
• Epidemiology and prevention of eating disorders
• Psychological strategies for promoting emotional well-being

SEMINARS: 1, 2 and 3

The system for evaluating the skills and learning outcomes of this subject includes different assessment activities.

A quantitative (0 to 10) and qualitative grading system (fail, pass, outstanding, excellent, honors) is used according to RD 1125/2003. In order for the exam grade to be averaged with the rest of the grades obtained during the course of the subject, it will be necessary to obtain a grade equal to or greater than 5 points out of a total of 10 points. According to UPF regulations, students who have the option of retaking the subject are those who have obtained a "fail" grade. In the event of not passing the subject, the only part susceptible to retake is the exam, with an extraordinary exam (retake) within the same academic year. The evaluation system and the retake period are detailed in the Learning Plan available in the virtual classroom at the beginning of the subject.

Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's assessment regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying their authorship.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this subject is regulated in the Learning Plan. It should be consulted to find out the specific conditions of use.

Gordis, L. (2023). Epidemiology (7th ed.). Elsevier.

Hernández-Aguado, I., et al. (2005). Manual of epidemiology and public health: For degrees and diplomas in health sciences. Pan American Medicine. Madrid

Kruger, J., Moralez, A., & Siqueira, CE (2026). Schneider's Introduction to Public Health (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Martínez-González, M. Á. (2023). Public health concepts and preventive strategies (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

Piedrola Gil et al. (eds)., Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 12th edition, Barcelona: Masson SA.

Tulchinsky, TH, & Varavikova, EA (2023). The New Public Health (4th ed.). Academic Press.

European Public Health Association (EUPHA): https://eupha.org.

Open-access public health data and guidelines from platforms Our World in Data, Eurostat, and other platforms.

Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (RENAVE) "National Epidemiological Surveillance Network". (n.d.). Public health surveillance. Carlos III Health Institute: [Website].

Short, E., et al. (2025). The Role of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists within Food Is Medicine: Current and Future Opportunities. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 125(8), 1075–1084. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2025.03.004.

World Health Organization (WHO), European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and national public health agencies. (n.d.). Reports and documents.