Sociology 320
I. Course Title: Social Determinants of Health
II. Course Number: SOCY 320
III. Credit Hours: 3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: SOCY 110 or SOCY 213.
Cross-Listed: PBHL 320.
V. Course Description:
Students will examine relationships between social factors and health status for both communities and specific populations. The pathways by which social circumstances affect disease risk, health-related behavior, and health outcomes are discussed.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
[1] Introduction
- Health Inequalities
[2] Individual and Population Health
- Levels of Analysis
- Origins of Population Health
[3] Health Care Services
- Health Care as a Determinant of Health
- Access and Equity
[4] Health Research Methods
- Theoretical Considerations
[5] Population Health and Social Epidemiology
- Emergence of Social Epidemiology
- Population Health Perspective
[6] Income, Inequality, Wealth and Health
- Income and Health
- Public Programs and Services
- Poverty and Mitigation
[7] Childhood and the Transition to Adulthood
- Early Childhood
- Older Children and Teens
[8] Gender and Health
- The Health of Women and Men
- Gender Equity
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People
- Body Image and Health
[9] Social Support, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, and Racism
- Social Norms and Human Health
- Social Networks
- Social Isolation and Older Adults
- Social Cohesion and Social Capital
- Racism
[10] Health of Indigenous Peoples
- Understanding the Determinants of Indigenous People
[11] Employment, Working Conditions, and Health
- Health and Jobs
- Working Conditions and Jobs
[12] Housing and Neighborhood
- Neighborhood and Health
- Urban Design, the Built Environment, and Physical Activity
- Housing Policy and Health
[13] Food, Food Insecurity, Nutrition, Obesity, and Health
- Diet and the Health of Populations
- Obesity
[14] The Environment and Health
- Climate Change
- Natural Disasters
- Air Pollution
[15] Social Patterning of Behavior
- Human Behavior and its Context
- Healthy Lifestyles
[16] The Politics of Population Health
- Models of Health
- Population Health and Politics
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
The course includes lecture, case studies, required/supplemental readings, internet research, and class discussions of readings and related current events.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
By completing the course, students will be able to:
- Assess the significance of social variables on indicators of health status for specific groups and the community as a whole.
- Contrast the WHO Social Determinants of Health Framework with the Health Belief Model in their ability to predict community health outcomes.
- Propose a community level health policy to address a social determinant of health issue.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
Assessment measures are graded assignments, tests, and a final comprehensive health policy proposal paper.
Other Course Information:
This course is online/asynchronous.
Review and Approval
March 01, 2021