The course provides an overview of priority concerns such as COVID-19, Substance Dependence, Social Media Misinformation/Disinformation Campaigns, Health Equity, Food Insecurity and Food Deserts, Mental Health / Social Isolation, Data Modernization and Privacy, and Environmental Impact on Health. Students apply their knowledge in public health, epidemiology, sociology, and economics to evaluate the social and environmental factors affecting these health issues. Through analyzing the effectiveness of current public policies and me, students develop recommendations for policy and programme development to improve outcomes for contemporary health issues. These topics are explored in national and international contexts.

CILO-1: Discuss the current issues and challenges facing the field of public health, including emerging trends and priority concerns. CILO-2: Examine how issues outlined in the course content are implicit in social, economic, and environmental outcomes for different populations, including vulnerable populations. CILO-3: Evaluate the effectiveness of current public health policies and interventions addressing the current issues affecting public health. CILO-4: Critically evaluate how public health research and data to inform evidence-based decision making to address current issues affecting public health.