Principles of Public Health
Fall 2014
10:832:232
7/14
Note: This syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester.
Instructor: Marci Berger, PhD
E-mail: mberger@usrealestateacq.com
Phone: 732-603-9375
Office Hours: By Appointment
Overview:
This is a survey course about public health. We will briefly cover many different
facets of public health including community health; data; diseases; the life cycle;
environmental issues; and various emerging issues. We will learn about these
issues through textbook readings, news articles, class discussions and other
media. Class discussion is an integral part of this class and will count
for 30% of the final grade.
Our discussions will often focus on how current events – as emphasized through
news articles - inform the textbook readings. It is imperative that you read the
articles PRIOR to class and bring them with you. Occasionally, I will change the
assigned news articles to capture something very current in the news. We will
also study events in real world that impact public health such as – Hurricanes
Sandy and Katrina, technology and genetically modified foods, the spread of
diseases.
Themes for the Course, often threaded throughout lectures:
1. The diverse roles of public health
2. Government’s place in protecting the health of its citizens
3. The importance of communicating information and the different methods
involved
4. Data - a foundation of public health and its various uses
5. How technology, including electronic communication and genetic research,
contributes to public health
6. The conflict between individual, or personal, vs. community
responsibilities
7. Rethinking to role of preventive care
As we move through the semester, some of these broad questions may help you
focus on the material:
 Can you explain what is meant by the “diverse role” of public health in our
lives? What are some specific examples.
 Where there certain topics that were connected throughout the lectures?
For example, what public health topics would you use to discuss the
ramifications of Hurricane Sandy?
 In what ways does public health specifically impact our daily lives?
THIS IS AN SAS CORE COURSE. AS SUCH, THE FOLLOWING GOALS
WILL BE EMPHASIZED DURING THE SEMESTER:
Goal H: Understand the bases and development of human and societal
endeavors across time and space;
Goal N: Apply concepts about human and social behavior to particular
questions and situations;
Goal W: Formulate, evaluate and communicate conclusions and inferences
from quantitative information.
Required Text:
McKenzie, James, Robert Pinger: An Introduction to Community Health,
8th ed. 2015, Jones and Barttlett
Additional Required Articles:
You will be assigned various articles weekly in addition to the textbook readings.
Some weeks your required readings may consist only of articles. I WILL
PROVIDE YOU WITH CITATIONS FOR THE ARTICLES, NOT ALWAYS DIRECT
LINKS. You are expected to be able to conduct a search for the required articles,
many of which CANNOT be found simply through using Google. You will often
have to use the Rutgers University Library database.
Some databases you may find useful include:
Access World News- For Star Ledger articles
Westlaw
EBSCO – For magazines, including TIME
Factiva
JSTOR
You are expected to complete ALL readings prior to class as a requirement for
participation in class discussions. Please bring copies of the articles to class with
you each week.
Grading:
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Final
Class Participation
Group Project
15%
15%
20%
30%
20%
Grading is based on performance on 1 exam, 2 quizzes, a class/group
assignment and class participation. If you don’t attend class, you cannot get
credit for participating in the discussion. Discussion is an integral part of
the course. Please note that class participation is 30% of your final
grade. If you are not comfortable participating in class discussions,
please think twice about taking this class! There are other sections of
this class that may not emphasize discussion.
The Group Project will be discussed in class and guidelines for the assignment
will also be handed out.
All material covered by the texts, class discussions, videos, additional readings,
lectures and guest lecturers are to be expected on the exams.
A Note on Class Participation:
After each class I assign all students an individual grade based on the following
scale: +(90-97); - (89-80); 0 (79-70). Class participation is assessed weekly
based on the quality of comments, not quantity. I am looking for evidence that
a student has completed the assigned readings and arrives to class prepared for
discussion. I assess this through the questions, comments and statements made
(or not) by students each week. To calculate the final class participation grade, I
use an average of these class-specific grades.
Absences:
Class participation is a key element of this class. Discussions and lectures will
touch on points not covered by the lecture notes, so attending each class is
important as is taking notes during class. If you don’t attend class, you can’t
participate in the discussion. If you expect to miss one or two classes, please
use the University absence reporting website, https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to
indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to
me. While this is officially true, you may also opt to speak with me directly
about your absences.
Papers:
Assignments that are to be handed in are due at the beginning of the class
period. Unless otherwise noted, assignments are to be handed in by hard copy,
not e-mail. Late assignments will lose one full grade for each day
they are late. Assignment extensions MUST be discussed no less than 2
days in advance of the due date.
Exams:
Exam/Quiz clashes are to be discussed with the professor AT LEAST 4
DAYS IN ADVANCE of scheduled testing date. ONE alternative testing date
will be offered for use by ALL students. Requests for an alternative date
received less than 4 days in advance will not be honored. Only valid exam
clashes will be grounds for utilizing the alternative date such as a conflict with
another exam. Family social engagements and volunteer activities are NOT
legitimate conflict reasons.
If there is serious illness or an emergency on the day of the exam, contact Ms.
Berger IMMEDIATELY. Failure to make alternative arrangements prior to
an exam will result in a 0 for that exam. There are no make-up exams for
unexcused absences.
Any questions regarding the grading of exams must be brought to Ms. Berger’s
attention within 4 DAYS after receipt back of graded exam. Questions
regarding exam grades will not be considered after this time period.
Group Project:
Each student is expected to work in a group to present a group project. You will
receive a separate handout with the information about this project later in the
semester.
Groups will present during the last few weeks of the semester. Please note that
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY ON EACH GROUP PRESENTATION DAY, EVEN IF
YOU ARE NOT PRESENTING. Those students with unexcused absences on
group presentation days will have 2 points per day missed deducted
from their final class participation grade.
Use of electronics in class:
Laptops are to be used by students for notetaking only. Please do not surf the
net or send e-mails during class. Do NOT send an e-mail to me during class
time. Cellphones must be turned OFF during class time. Texting during class
time will not be tolerated.
Sending e-mail:
I check e-mail daily. If you send me an e-mail, please make sure you include the
following: a greeting (such as “Dear Professor Berger” or “Hello Ms. Berger”);
the class name (I teach more than one class); and please sign off with your
name.
Coursework Requirements:
Rutgers University Policy on Academic Integrity applies to all coursework.
Students in this class and in all courses at Rutgers University are expected to
uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Cheating, plagarism in
written work, receiving and providing unauthorized assistance and sabotaging
the work of others are among the behaviors that constitute violations of the
Policy on Academic Integrity. You are expected to be familiar with this policy.
If you are not familiar with this policy, please review it at:
http://ctaar.rutgers.edu/integrity/policy.html.
You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to class to be able to
participate in a class discussion.
Schedule:
September 8 - Lecture 1
Public Health, Community Health and Health
Policy
History of public health… Why Public Health can be Controversial …Why
Communication is important
READ:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2 (skim)
Articles:
 S.L.(Star Ledger): “Turns out laughter really is the best medicine” by
Melissa Healy 5/8/14 (also in the Los Angeles Times) NOTE: To find Star
Ledger articles, use the Access World News database
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S.L.: “ Eat, Drink to Your Health” …”Study suggests coffee may perk up
body’s small blood vessels” by Nanci Hellmich, also in USA Today,
11/21/13 and “Harvard scientists say nuts may lower cancer, heart
disease risk” by Marilynn Marchione, also from Associated Press, 11/21/13
NYT (New York Times): “My Life as a Dog Owner” by Jane Brody, 4/8/14
September 15 - Lecture 2
Data and Introduction to Epidemiology
Types of Data…Importance of Epidemiology…Emergency Preparedness…
Handout for group projects
READ:
Chapter 3, pp. 66-79; 86-90; Chapter 15, pp. 513-515
Articles:
Data:
 NYT: “Eight (No Nine!) Problems with Big Data” by Gary Marcus and
Ernest Davis, 4/7/14
Emergency Preparedness
 NYT Magazine: “The Deadly Choices at Memorial” by Sherri Fink,
8/25/09
 Time Magazine: “Storm Warning: A Katrina Ravaged Hospital Grapples
with Mercy and Death” a book review about the Deadly Choices at
Memorial article, by Radhika Jones, 9/23/13
 Thinkprogress.org: “Public Health Threats Linger in the Wake of
Hurricane Sandy” by Tara Culp-Ressler, 11/1/12
September 22 -
Lecture 3
Epidemiology Part II
Incidence and Prevalence…Types of Studies…Limits of Epidemiology…Basic Statistics
READ:
Chapter 3 pp. 91-98
Articles:
 NYT Magazine: “Do We Really Know What Makes Us Healthy?” by Gary
Taubes, 9/16/07. Also known as “Unhealthy Science”
 Forbes.com: “The Trouble with ‘Scientific’ Research Today: A Lot That’s
Published is Junk” by Henry Miller and Stanley Young, 1/8/14
 UAnews.org: “University of Arizona Researcher Michael Woroby and His
Team Have Discovered That the Key to Understanding Influenza
Pandemics May Lie in Flu Exposure During Childhood” 4/28/14
VIEW IN CLASS: INFLUENZA 1918
September 29 - Lecture 4
Prevention and Control of Diseases
Infectious diseases… Chronic conditions …The Chain of Infection
Group Projects and topics due by 9/27 @12:00 noon. Information must be finalized by 9/29.
Read: Chapter 4
Articles:
 NYT: “Why Everyone Seems to Have Cancer” by George Johnson, 1/5/14
 Time.com: “Rise of the Mumps: What’s Behind the New Cases” by
Alexandra Sifferlin, 4/7/14
 The Nation’s Health: “New Movie Puts Public Health, Infectious
Diseases in Spotlight: Behind the Scenes of ‘Contagion’” by Kim Krisberg,
Sept. 2011, vol. 41, no. 7 1-10
VIEW IN CLASS: CONTAGION
October 6 – Lecture 5
Life Cycle 1: Maternal, Infant, Child and
Adolescents/Young Adults
Prenatal Care…Adolescence….Vaccines
Read: Chapter 7, pp. 191-224; Chapter 8, pp. 238-255
Articles:
 NYT: “Judge Upholds Policy Barring Unvaccinated Students During
Illness” by Benjamin Mueller, 6/23/14
 NYT: “Can a Playground be too Safe?” by John Tierney, 7/19/11
 NYT: “The TMI Pregnancy” by Patricia Volk, 6/8/14
 S.L.: “Defending the Herd: Too Many Parents Exploiting Religion to Avoid
Immunizing their Kids” Editorial, 6/29/14
VIEW IN CLASS: cbs.com: Story on doctors and vaccinating patients, 2/16/12
October 13 – QUIZ 1.
Review material up to and including Lecture 5.
- Use rest of class time to work on group
projects
October 20 – Lecture 6
Life Cycle 2: Adults, the Elderly … and Genetics
READ: Chapter 8, pp. 255-66; Chapter 9
Articles:
Elderly
 NYT: “Meaningful Markers of Aging” by David Stipp, 7/23/13
 Dailybeast.com/newsweek: “The Case for Killing Granny: Rethinking
End of Life Care” by Evan Thomas, 9/11/09
Genetics
 NYT: “Fearing Punishment for Bad Genes” by Kira Peikoff, 4/8/14
 Time.com: DNA of Champions: Some of My Genes Predict Athleticism. I
Have Apparently Nurtured the Other Ones.” By Joel Stein, 2/24/14
 Doctoroz.com: “ Genetically Modified Foods: Get the Facts” for a quick
pro/con review
>The New York Times blog has great resources for the elderly on the web.
>Good background on genetically modified food @ discovery.com: Top 10
Genetically Modified Food Products by Diana Bocco
VIEW IN CLASS: PARO video @cnn.com
October 27 - Lecture 7
Emerging Topics in Public Health
Technology… Confidentiality… Preventive Care
No text, just articles.
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Technology:
Time.com: “The Doctor Will Skype You Now” by Alexandra Sifferin,
1/13/14
NYT.com: “Yelp Reviews Help Track Food Illnesses” by Maria Newman,
5/23/14
www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek: “The Body-Data Craze” by
Alissa Quart, 6/26/13
Confidentiality:
ON SAKAI… NJ Lawyer: “Public Policy Can Trump Patient’s
Confidentiality” by Scibiorsky, Chris, 12/31/07 – to be handed out in class.
Preventive Care:
CBSNews.com “Doctors Groups Say Annual Pelvic Exams Unnecessary
for Healthy Women” by Jessica Firger, 6/30/14
S.L. (from the L.A. Times) ” Anxiety from False-Positive Mammograms
Real” by Karen Kaplan, 4/22/14
The Globe and Mail.com: “Study Casting Doubt on Mammogram
Effectiveness No Cause for Panic” by Andre Picard, 2/12/14
VIEW IN CLASS: Building a $325,000 Burger
November 3 – Lecture 8
Health Care Reform and the Role of Government in
Public Health
Health Care Disparities
Health Care Reform…USDA/FDA…Population…Health Disparities
READ: Chapter 10: pp. 303-307; skim 308-317; pp. 318-331
Parts of Chapter 13: pp. 430-434 (delivery); pp. 444-448 (Medicare); pp.
459-462 (ACA)
Articles:
 www.APHA.org: American Public Health Association. Fact Sheets:
Affordable Care Act Overview: Selected Provisions, August 2012. Also –
Affordable Care Act Overview: Summaries of Selected Provisions, August
2012.
 Star Ledger: (Associated Press): “Race May Play Role in Cervical
Cancer” by Marilyn Marchione, 4/2/12
 NYT: “Why Black Women Die of Cancer” by Harold P. Freeman, 3/14/14
 Gradworks.umi.com/36/18/3618045.html: “Race, Genes and
Health: Public Conceptions about the Effectiveness of Race-Based
Medicine and Personalized Genomic Medicine” Dissertation Abstract. By
Mira Naumi, 2014
VIEW IN CLASS: WEIGHT OF THE NATION, PART 1
NOVEMBER 10 – Lecture 9
Environmental Health
Clean Air…Clean Water…Solid Waste
READ: Chapter 14
Articles:
 NYT: “Domestic Detox: Cleaning to Extremes” by Penelope Green,
5/27/10
 Discovermagazine.com: “The World’s Largest Dump: The Great
Pacific Garbage Patch” by Thomas Kostigen, 7/10/08.
www.discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/10-the-worlds-largest-dump/article
 Manuel, John. “The Long Road to Recovery: Environmental Impacts of
Hurricane Sandy” in Environmental Health Perspectives, vol.121, #5 May,
2013
 S.L. : “Toxic Homes…and No One Told Them” by Barry Carter
VIEW IN CLASS: Taking the Waste Out of Wastewater –
nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/Sunday/taking-the-waste-out-ofwastewater.html?_r=1
November 17
 QUIZ 2 Covers Lectures 6-9
 Brief Lecture 10
Current Public Health Concerns
Individual Responsibility…. Obesity… Comprehensive Community Health
No text, just articles
Articles:


Huffingtonpost.com: “The Ruling on Soda Servings and Its Implication
for Public Health” 6/26/14
S.L. (from Associated Press): “Parents Should Lose Custody of Obese
Kids, Experts Argue” by Lindsey Tanner, 7/13/11
VIEW IN CLASS: Weight of the Nation Part 2
November 24: Group Projects/Exam
Review
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Groups present today
Each group has 10 minutes
See handout for specific information
Attendance is mandatory!!!
Additionally, you may bring to class questions regarding the final. I WILL NOT
CONDUCT A REVIEW BUT WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
DECEMBER 1:
Final Exam
DECEMBER 8:
Final Day of Class
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
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Groups present today
Each group has 10 minutes
See handout for specific information
Attendance is mandatory!!!