PUBHTH 240: Social Determinants of Health

This course provides an introduction to and overview of the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and their impact on health, functioning, and quality of life across the life course. Students completing this course will explore social, economic, environmental, and political factors contributing to health and health disparities across various populations and communities. Topics to be discussed include health disparities, the life course perspective, intersectionality, racism, discrimination, socioeconomic status, housing, and residential segregation, access to healthcare, and social and environmental factors. The course will examine current efforts to address the SDOH, advocacy, and efforts to effectively mobilize health promoting pathways. Students will be challenged to reflect upon the determinants critically and propose innovative and grassroots strategies to improve health, reduce health disparities, and address the nonmedical determinants of health.