Planetary Health (on campus)

POPH67702 Planetary Health (on campus) 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Paula Whittaker Unit coordinator Division of Population Health, Health Services Res 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course unit introduces the subject of Planetary Health and explores its effects on the health of populations around the world including climate change and other disruptions to Earth's systems (biodiversity loss, pollution, land use) and their combined effects on human health. We look at how the Earth’s climate and environment is changing and what this means to different areas of the world, what we can reasonably expect in the future based on current knowledge, and how we can protect our communities from the consequences.   Students gain an understanding of how anthropogenic activities and emissions are affecting planetary health, and prospective forecasting and scenario development. The impacts of climate change and pollution on population and individual health are examined and explored along with evidence-based policy making and setting specific responses.    This course unit introduces the subject of Planetary Health and explores its effects on the health of populations around the world including climate change and other disruptions to Earth's systems (biodiversity loss, pollution, land use) and their combined effects on human health. We look at how the Earth’s climate and environment is changing and what this means to different areas of the world, what we can reasonably expect in the future based on current knowledge, and how we can protect our communities from the consequences.   Students gain an understanding of how anthropogenic activities and emissions are affecting planetary health, and prospective forecasting and scenario development. The impacts of climate change and pollution on population and individual health are examined and explored along with evidence-based policy making and setting specific responses.  The unit aims to:<ul><li>Synthesise the evidence base for climate change, land use, access to green space and blue space, biodiversity loss, and pollution and the impacts on, and implications for, health. </li><li>Provide an introduction to climate and environmental science and the Planetary Health and climate change policies and actions taken around the world on prevention, mitigation and adaptation </li><li>Understand the concept of "One Health" and its role in managing zoonotic diseases and ecological interactions.</li><li>Develop understanding of the specific health impacts, adaptations, interventions for mitigation, and adequate responses which will allow public health professionals to create policies and practices and, design and deliver appropriate services for the setting in which they work.   </li></ul> <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Category of outcome</td><td>Students will be able to: </td></tr><tr><td>Knowledge and understanding </td><td>Understand, explain and critically discuss the basic climate system, the process of climate change and the impact of human activities on climate. </td></tr><tr><td>Intellectual skills</td><td>Understand and articulate the impacts of climate change on health, globally and locally, and policies and measures aimed at reducing or adapting to, climate change and health impacts. </td></tr><tr><td>Practical skills</td><td>Apply understanding of climate change and health impacts to the development of real world solutions. </td></tr><tr><td>Transferable skills and personal qualities </td><td>Understand the ethical issues, both inter and intra generational and the opportunities and restraints under which organisations operate. </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Students should be able to: <ul><li>Understand, explain and critically discuss the basic climate system, the process of climate change and the impact of human activities on climate</li><li>Analyse the interdependence between human health and the health of natural systems, recognising human stewardship as a primary determinant of future population health</li><li>Explain the concept of "One Health" and its role in managing zoonotic diseases and ecological interactions.</li></ul> Students should be able to: <ul><li>Understand and articulate the impacts of climate change on health, globally and locally and policies and measures aimed at reducing, or adapting to, climate change and health impacts.</li><li>Systematically appraise and evaluate research, for example, from planning, urban design, green and blue space and effects on health and wellbeing, both locally and globally.</li><li>Evaluate environmental determinants of health inequalities and analyse how global environmental change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations and regions.</li></ul>  Students should be able to: <ul><li>Apply understanding of climate change and health impacts to the development of real world solutions.</li><li>Critically appraise methods and tools (epidemiology, data science, social sciences) for measuring the health impacts of global environmental change.  </li></ul> Students should be able to: <ul><li>Understand the ethical issues, both inter and intra generational and the opportunities and restraints under which organisations operate.</li><li>Develop scenarios and pathways for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce adverse health outcomes.</li></ul>  Analytical skills Students will critically analyse approaches to climate change mitigation and adaption and apply their knowledge to the development of place specific and appropriate policies and interventions. Leadership Students will be encouraged to acknowledge their responsibility in advocating preventative responses to protecting the health of their specific communities against the anticipated impacts of anthropogenic climate change. Project management Students will need to demonstrate understanding of project management skills in their choice of approach to the assignments and use planning techniques to ensure their completion. Oral communication Students will be equipped to communicate the basic science of climate change and its impacts on health. Students will be able to argue the evidentiary case for anthropogenic climate change and prospective scenarios. This is an optional course unit for students studying on the on-campus MPH programme. There will be written materials by the tutors guiding students through the course, illustrated with photographs and figures to illustrate the rich topic areas. Much of the content will be presented through reading, including peer reviewed journals (accessible through the University library), and multimedia, including videos. Students will be directed to a variety of relevant literature each week, but also encouraged to research and explore and find their own sources.There will be regular interaction with the tutors through scheduled seminars. Students will be encouraged to use self-reflection to think about the ideas discussed, and take part in discussion and problem-solving activities. Tutors are also accessible throughout the semester via online discussion boards and email. All face-to-face activities are mandatory for all students. Attendance is monitored and an escalation policy is in place for non-attendance. The tutor-led sessions will be recorded and made available for all students as part of good pedagogic practice for accessibility, revision and consolidation.  2 Written assignment (inc essay) 100% Students are provided with personalised feedback for their final summative assignment (2,000 words) within 15 working days following the submission deadline.Opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) is also provided during the course unit.  N United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – website <a href="https://unfccc.int/">https://unfccc.int/  </a>The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change website - <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/countdown-health-climate">https://www.thelancet.com/countdown-health-climate  </a> Lectures 20 Project supervision 4 0 126