Students
in the advocacy and social change area of emphasis will gain the skills
and expertise to influence policy- and decision-making in political,
economic, and social institutions. Working in collaboration with other
individuals and organizations, public health advocates can influence
the power relationships between institutions and the public, shape the
public discussion of health issues, and create healthier and more
equitable environments.
Aging
The
aging area of emphasis is designed to provide students with a
multi-disciplinary core curriculum on the broad issues of adult
development and aging. Of particular concern are the problems,
policies, and programs that affect health and quality of life for the
elderly.
Health Behavior
The
purpose of the health behavior area of emphasis is to help meet the
increasing demand for highly qualified health educators who have the
specific knowledge and skills to help individuals and communities
protect, maintain, and improve their health. The area of emphasis
emphasizes the behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of disease
prevention and public health behavioral research and change. Students
will acquire skills in the assessment and modification of health
behavior at the individual, community/group,
organizational/institutional, and broader levels.
Integrative Health
Courses
within the integrative health area of emphasis introduce students to
the participatory, emergent, and relational qualities characteristic of
living systems and ecology-based models. From this perspective, all
things are interconnected; imbalance in one area impacts the whole.
Mind-body health and complementary and alternative medicine represent
approaches to understanding whole systems within health care.
Additional topics addressed in the area of emphasis include
sustainability, adult learning, and social justice.
Physical Activity & Risk Reduction
Students
in the physical activity and risk reduction area of emphasis will
improve their understanding of the relationships between physical
activity and health. An understanding of the physiological responses
and adaptations to physical activity and exercise provides the
foundation upon which students can begin to investigate the role of
physical activity/exercise in the health of individuals and
communities. The exploration of physical activity as it relates to
chronic disease risk, aging, and nutrition provides an opportunity for
students to examine the health impacts of a sedentary lifestyle from
multiple perspectives.
Women's Health
Courses
in the women's health area of emphasis provide students the opportunity
to study the topic from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Issues
surrounding the health care of women are examined not only through
conventional lenses of medical and public health research, but also
through the post-modern lenses of social constructionism, feminist
theory, and other critical theories
