Populations and health

Teacher(s)

Bocquier Philippe; Masquelier Bruno; Masquelier Bruno (compensates Bocquier Philippe);

Language

French

Main themes

• The mortality history of populations : compared perspectives of epidemiological transitions ;
• Information systems and strategies of observation and research in the field of health (prospective and experimental studies, case-control studies) ;
• Concepts - health, reproductive health, morbidity, nutritional status, disability, dependence, mortality - and their indicators ;
• Demo-epidemiologic measures: incidence, prevalence, relative risks… ;
• Today's main problems in public health: North/South comparison.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1.	know the sources of information ;
2.	know methods to analyze health and mortality in populations over time and space.

Content

LDEMO2610 provides an introduction to the study of population health. After a first part devoted to the main indicators, data sources and observation methods, the course presents in a second part two theoretical frameworks: the epidemiological transition and the social determinants of health. The third part of the course examines the health of populations at different stages of life: management of pregnancies and maternal mortality; stillbirths and child mortality; the health of adolescents and young adults; cardiovascular diseases and cancers; health at older ages and degenerative diseases. Three sessions are then devoted to nutrition, environmental health and infectious diseases (malaria and tuberculosis).

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The course alternates methodological and thematic presentations on major public health issues. 

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

In-session written exam (mix of MCQs and open questions) (10/20). Group work (3 max): writing a small literature review (8-10 pages) on a health problem of your choice.

Online resources

Course slides and articles available on the course page on MoodleUCL.

Bibliography

R. Bonita, R. Beaglehole, and T. Kjellstrom. Eléments d'épidémiologie. Organisation mondiale de la santé, 2010.
T.K. Young. Population Health: Concepts and Methods. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Faculty or entity

PSAD