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Unit outline_

PUBH5020: Chronic Disease Prevention

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides a systems-informed approach to examining the global issue of chronic diseases. Students will examine major chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory disease, and mental illness, and their risk factors. Global, national and sub-national chronic disease prevention strategies are critically considered. This includes weighing up evidence on the effectiveness of primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies at the population level, and examining the role of health policy and strategic planning in developing effective and sustainable chronic disease prevention programs in different settings (in Australia and globally). The unit also discusses systems approaches to chronic disease prevention, that is considering the complex underlying social, environmental and economic drivers of chronic disease, how these drivers interact, and applying a coordinated and multisectoral approach to preventing chronic disease.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PUBH5555
Assumed knowledge
? 

PUBH5033 or PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or equivalent

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yvonne Laird, yvonne.laird@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Tutorial participation
Participation in 10 online tutorials.
20% Multiple weeks 10 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Written assignment 1
Written assessment
25% Week 04
Due date: 13 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Written assignment 2
Written assessment
45% Week 12
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Online presentation
Presentation
10% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 09:00
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Tutorials: You must make at least 3 considered posts anytime between 9am, Sunday, and midnight, Wednesday. A considered post contributes something meaningful to the discussion.  
  • Written Assignment 1: Prepare a report on a chronic disease systems-focused prevention intervention or program, published in the peer-reviewed literature in the last 5 years, that you think has potential to make a difference to population health, or to public health policy or practice. 
  • Written Assigment 2: The government has publicly announced 20 million dollars in funding over 5 years to address chronic disease risk factors. Your task is to produce a persausive scientific proposal to secure that funding. 
  • Presentation: You will orally ‘pitch’ your 20 million dollar proposal idea to other students. This will involve you uploading your PowerPoint slides with audio recording to your tutorial group’s discussion board, which will then be viewed/listened to and commented on by your peers. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Mini-lectures and reading material Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Why is changing health behaviour so difficult? Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Chronic disease prevention systems and settings approaches Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Commercial Determinants of Health Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Chronic disease prevention in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Chronic disease prevention in culturally and linguistically diverse communities Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Co-benefits of chronic disease prevention Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Developing evidence informed solutions Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 09 Scalability of chronic disease prevention programs Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Advocacy and communicating prevention Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 13 Online presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to participate in the 10 online tutorials. These are asynchronous tutor-moderated online discussion forums with fellow students. Your participation in the weekly tutorials contributes to your assessment mark. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings for this unit can be access through the Reading List, available on Canvas. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically consider the epidemiology and burden of chronic disease and their risk factors, and their assessment and surveillance
  • LO2. apply conceptual frameworks and models to identify the underlying causes of chronic disease
  • LO3. synthesise and critique global and national chronic disease prevention programs and strategies
  • LO4. develop evidence-informed solutions to address chronic disease and their risk factors

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback indicated that most students felt that this unit helped to develop knowledge and skills in chronic disease prevention and control. Students particularly enjoyed online discussions and the structure of the unit enabling self-paced learning. Student feedback has informed updates to unit content and structure. This has included integration of additional content/topic areas and bitesize learning opportunities (such as Podcasts and short videos). Additional opportunities for engagement and interaction have also been integrated.

There is no other relevant information for this unit. 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.