The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major social variables—social class, race, gender, poverty, income distribution, social networks/support, community cohesion, the work and neighborhood environment—that affect population health. The course covers the theoretical underpinnings of each construct, and surveys the empirical research linking each to population health status. Methods are introduced to operationalize each construct for the purposes of empirical application in epidemiologic research.

CILO-1: Apply social and behavioural science theory and methods to analyze public health problems in terms of the factors that influence their development and alternative approaches to their resolution. CILO-2: Assess the utility of interventions aimed at different socio-ecological system levels, including individual behaviour, family systems, community organization, complex social systems, and the social and physical environment. CILO-3: Analyze the role of health professionals, public health institutions and policies in various case studies.