HST209 Introduction to Social Determinants of Health
HST 209
Why are some individuals healthier than others in Canada? Why do some individuals have better access to healthcare than others? Why do health outcomes vary among different populations? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? If yes, then this course is for you! In this course we delve into these questions and others, exploring how non-medical factors influence heath outcomes. As you maybe be aware, many factors come together to affect the health and wellbeing of individuals. These nonmedical factors are conditions in which people grow, work, and live including the wider forces and systems that shape the conditions of daily life. Through interactive lectures, guest lectures and group activities, you will broaden your understanding of how various social factors such as employment, income, food security, housing, and education enhance or harm our health and wellbeing.
Course Objectives
- Enable students to identify the social determinants of health within the Canadian context.
- Equip students with the ability to critically analyze and apply their understanding of social determinants of health to real-life scenarios within the Canadian context, deepening their understanding of how these factors impact the health of Canadians
- Provide students with transferable skills to analyze different social determinants of health and health issues through assignments and group work by providing opportunities for:
- Critical thinking through interactive activities during lectures
- Synthesizing and research information relating to social determinants of health in Canada
- Analyzing the interaction of social determinants of health with health issues in Canada
- To improve students’ ability to communicate their thoughts verbally through class group activities and group oral presentations