The CUNY School of Public Health
Hunter College
PH 755.02 Urban Health & Society (HYBRID)
Fall 2012
I.
Course Information
Catalogue description:
Examines the impact of social and political forces on the health of
urban populations and describes roles for and history of public
health professionals in promoting health of urban communities.
Course Meets:
Room SB 215 and on-line alternate Wednesdays, 4:10 – 5:55 PM
Instructor:
Lynn Roberts, Ph D
Email:
lroberts@hunter.cuny.edu
Phone:
212-396-7742
Office:
Room 530, Silberman Building
Office Hours:
W 3:30-4:00 PM & 6:00 – 6:30 PM (G); TH 2-3:30 PM (UG) and by appt
Required Book:
Freudenberg, N, Galea, S and Vlahov, D, (Eds.) Cities and the Health of
the Public, Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press, 2006, ISBN: 08265-1512-6.
All additional required readings will be posted in BlackBoard. These
readings are listed under their respective classes in this syllabus.
II.
Program Competencies & Course Objectives
Program Competencies
Course Learning Objectives
Sessions
Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course will help you to
After successfully completing
Competencies and learning
achieve the following
this course you are expected
objectives will be addressed
competencies which are
to be able to :
as part of the following
expected of [either “all” MPH
course sessions:
graduates or MPH graduates in
your specialization track]:
1. Apply the core functions of
PH practice (assessment,
 Analyze the impact of
individual, organizational,
2, 10, 11
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
policy development, and
assurance)
2. Understand basic theories,
concepts, models and
methods from a range of core
and related disciplines and
apply them to the design of PH
research, policy, and practice
4. Interpret and apply the PH
literature.
community, national, and
global trends and
interdependencies on
public health related
problems and systems.
 Identify beliefs, assets, and
needs at the individual,
interpersonal, organization,
community, and policy
levels that inform public
health interventions.
 Assess opportunities and
challenges of applying a
systems approach to
addressing public health
problems.
 Identify basic social and
behavioral theories,
concepts, and models that
explain differences in the
distribution of health and
illness in the United States
(including multiple
perspectives on the
meaning of key social
concepts such as race,
class, ethnicity, gender, and
disability).
2, 3, 7, 8, 12
 Describe leading theories of
individual, interpersonal,
group, organizational, and
community-level change.
 Describe the strengths and
limitations of social and
behavior-based
interventions and policies
for improving the health of
urban populations.
 Identify strategies to
reduce disparities in health.
 Retrieve relevant materials, All
summarize and identify a
topic for further
exploration over the
Page 2 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012


6. Communicate PH
information verbally and in
writing




7. Explain key social,
behavioral, biomedical and
environmental determinants
of and inequities in health and
disease across the lifespan in
urban settings



semester.
Find conflicting
interpretations of the same
phenomenon and use
examples to support your
case.
Research various
intervention strategies to
address a specific PH
problem
Diagnose strengths and
problems of urban
communities.
Identify organizations that
can play a role in health
promotion and disease
prevention within urban
communities.
Assess available resources
for health promotion and
disease prevention within
urban communities.
Describe the roles of
various systems (e.g.
schools, health care,
environmental protection,
criminal justice, food and
nutrition) in promoting
health and preventing
disease among urban
populations.
Describe specific pathways
by which urban living
affects health across the
lifespan.
Identify major economic,
political, and
environmental forces that
shape the health of U.S.
urban populations.
Describe the influence of
behavioral, interpersonal,
community, economic,
sociocultural, and policy
factors on health behaviors
Page 3 of 18
14, 15
2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
and health.
 Assess the cultural beliefs
of various urban
populations and describe
their impact on health and
disease.
 Analyze the impact of class,
race, ethnicity, gender and
sexual preference on the
health status and needs of
urban populations.
III.
Explanation of Assignments
Your understanding of the course material will be evaluated through the following:
1. Literature Review Paper: Analysis of an issue of public health significance (individual and group
project)
This assignment will consist of three steps:
a) Public Health Brief: Individual assignment, due any time between Sep 19th and Sept 26th
In this two-page assignment, students will state the significance of a topic of special interest to them
and also related to the broader topic selected by their groups, particularly regarding its relevance from
an urban health perspective. Please note that this is an individual assignment. Therefore, each student
in each group has to submit two pages on their chosen topic of special interest. In this way, students
will be working on one single topic during the semester, rather than on different ones. This individual
assignment will help students practice their writing skills and clarify their own ideas about the subject of
interest. Ask yourself: Why am I interested in this topic? What would I like to find out about it? Why is
this topic relevant from a public health perspective?
Students must include a minimum of five (5) references in the Public Health Brief and demonstrate a
general understanding of the literature on the issue selected and justify its importance from an urban
health perspective. All papers should be typed, double-spaced, spell-checked and proofread. Please use
one inch margins all around and 12-point font. This assignment must be submitted via the SAFE ASSIGN
feature in BlackBoard.
b) Collaborative Public Health Literature Review, first version: Group assignment, due on Oct 24th
In this group assignment, students will summarize and discuss key aspects related to their selected
public health issue addressed in the literature. A review article consists of selecting a public health
problem, reviewing what is currently known and what is still being asked about the problem in the
scientific literature, including conflicting findings and gaps that may exist, and building an argument that
Page 4 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
will lead to a set of suggestions and recommendations. Students will write a critical summary of the key
ideas, concepts and theories and properly cite each source.
A minimum of 10 references should be cited in this report, including both books and peer-reviewed
articles. The structure of this review article should include at least the following components: (1)
abstract; (2) introduction; (3) argument/subtopics; (4) discussion/concluding remarks; and (5) literature
cited. Papers should be between 6 and 8 pages in length, not including abstract, references, tables or
figures. Hard copies are required for this assignment.
b) Literature Review, final version: Group assignment, due on Dec 19th
The final literature review will be an improved version of the first, which will take into account the
instructor’s suggestions as well as incorporate ongoing (i.e., updated) analysis of the existing literature
on the subject selected. Students must also incorporate the public health concepts discussed in the
second half of the semester into the paper. Papers should be between 8 and 10 pages in length, not
including abstract, references, tables, or figures. Hard copies are required for this assignment.
2. Library Assignment (due to Profs. Pell or Brown on or before Oct 22nd)
The purpose of this assignment is to assist students in mastering information literacy research and
citation skills, which will help them to identify appropriate resources for writing professional papers. The
library assignment is mandatory for all students enrolled in the MPH program and currently taking PH
755. This assignment involves a two-step process:
a)
All MPH students taking PH755 must attend a two-session library session. The library sessions will
provide students an opportunity to learn and practice the skills needed to complete the library
assignment. Each session will be offered during dates listed below.
Students should e-mail Prof. John Pell (jpell@hunter.cuny.edu) to reserve a place for the library
sessions. It is recommended to do so early so you can get your ideal choice, as there will be only 25
students per class. Dates for Sessions I and II are listed below:
Library Session I, Fall 2012 Silberman Building
Tuesday, September 4th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Wednesday, September 5th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 9)
Thursday, September 6th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Thursday, September 6th: 6 - 8 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Saturday, September 8th: 11 AM - 1 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Tuesday, September 18th: 6 - 8 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Library Session II, Fall 2012 Silberman Building
Tuesday, September 11th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Tuesday, September 11th: 6 - 8 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Page 5 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Wednesday, September 12th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 9)
Thursday, September 13th: 3 - 5 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Saturday, September 15th: 11 AM - 1 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
Thursday, September 20th: 6 - 8 PM (Silberman Lab 5)
b) Library Assignment
After attending the library sessions, students will complete a written library assignment. The
satisfactory completion of this report will count for 10 percent of each student’s grade for the PH
755 class. Professors Mason Brown and John Pell will be the instructors in charge of the library
sessions and will grade all assignments. Therefore, students’ assignments must be submitted
electronically to the professor with whom they took the library sessions from
(mbr0010@hunter.cuny.edu or jpell@hunter.cuny.edu ) on or before October 22nd. Please write
“Library Assignment” in the subject heading of your email. Failure to submit the assignment on time
will result in a grade of zero.
Professors Pell and Brown will be available to meet with students who require additional help to
complete the report satisfactorily. Please contact them directly if you have any questions about the
assignment and/or if you want to set an appointment with either of them.
3. Midterm Exam (take home, due on Nov 21st)
For this assignment students will provide essay answers to two questions from a list of questions that
will address the content of all previous class sessions. The list of questions will be made available online the week prior to the midterm exam’s due date. Students may refer to any of the class readings,
class discussions and additional references that may be suited to the topic under consideration. Critical
analysis of the literature, as well as evidence of thorough knowledge of the subject matter, is expected.
Students are required to work independently on this exam; this is not a group project. This assignment
must be submitted electronically on the due date of Nov 21st.
4. Oral Assignments
a) Class attendance and participation
Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be active, informed participants in all class and
on-line discussions. This course maintains a blog via BlackBoard: all students are expected to write a
minimum of one (1) blog entry over the course of the semester, which will count toward their
participation. The instructor may assign students as discussion leaders and will call on students in class
to join discussions and exercises.
b) Final Oral Presentations (group projects to be presented on Dec 12th and Dec 19th)
Students will make in-class presentations of the topic selected for their literature review projects.
Although the presentations will be a collective effort, each student will receive an individual grade. Oral
presentations will highlight the relevance of the issue/problem chosen, the main findings stated in their
Page 6 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
review papers including the agreements and caveats found in the literature, as well as suggestions for
future research. A handout with guidelines for the oral presentations will be provided by the instructor.
IV.
Grading Policy and Due Dates
Assignment
Class attendance and participation in class &
on-line, including blog
Public Health Brief
Library Assignment
Collaborative public health review article, 1st
version
Midterm Exam
Oral Presentations
Group/Individual Due
date(s)
Individual
All
Sessions
Individual
Sep 19-26
Individual
Oct 22
Group
Oct 24
Individual
Group
Collaborative public health review article,
final version
Group
Nov 21
Dec 12
or
Dec 19
Dec 19
Percent of Final
Grade
10%
10%
10%
15%
20%
10%
25%
The grading scale follows the 2006-2009 Graduate catalog as follows:
A+
A
AB+
B
V.
97.5%-100%
92.5 – 97.4%
90.0 – 92.4%
87.5 – 89.9%
82.5 – 87.4%
BC+
C
CF
80.0 – 82.4%
77.5 – 79.9%
72.5 – 77.4%
70.0 – 72.4%
0.0 – 69.9%
Course Policies
Attendance and class participation: Regular attendance and active, informed participation in class and
on-line discussions and exercises based on a critical reading of the assigned articles and text is required.
The instructor may distribute short assignments before sessions to guide students; students are strongly
encouraged to refer to these assignments when doing weekly required readings. The instructor will also
incorporate several in-class or on-line exercises and all students are expected to participate. Some inclass exercises will be collected. Students must also participate in the BlackBoard blog for this course.
Enrollment in BlackBoard: All students must enroll in BlackBoard. BlackBoard will be used on a routine
basis as a learning tool to distribute course materials, on-line lectures, as well as to facilitate
communication with the instructor and classmates.
Page 7 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Lateness and absence: Timely arrival in class is expected. Please inform me in advance if you anticipate
being late or absent. Students are responsible for class content and assignments even if they miss a
class. Excessive lateness and absences will be noted and reflected in your final grade.
Assigned readings: All readings for each class will be completed before the sessions they have been
assigned for.
Guidelines for written assignments: Learning to express ideas in a clear and concise way requires
practice; therefore, this course will provide students with diverse written assignments during the term.
Start working on papers early and seek feedback from your instructor throughout the process.
All papers should be typed, double-spaced, spell-checked and proofread. Please use 12 inch font, with
one inch margins all around. Please do not submit papers in folders or binders. Staple all assignments in
the upper left-hand corner of the paper. For identification purposes, please include your name, title of
the assignment, course, term, and date. Hard copies are required for all assignments and must be
submitted at the beginning of class on their respective due dates.
Use only AMA (American Medical Association) style for citing references. You may consult this link at
the American Journal of Public Health website for AMA guidelines:
http://www.ajph.org/misc/ama_references.shtml.
Due dates and completion of assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of the date indicated
in the syllabus; two points will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. If a student anticipates
the need to turn in work late, please negotiate an acceptable submission plan with the instructor in
advance of the established due date. In case of emergencies, please contact the instructor immediately.
Classroom community, culture & conduct: The classroom is a community. Respectful interaction with
classmates, the instructor and guests is expected at all times. Public health deals with controversial
issues from multiple perspectives and consideration of these issues may cause disagreements among us
or may evoke strong personal feelings, depending on our individual experiences, histories, identities and
worldviews. Therefore, in all of interactions and communications, it is important that students strive to
demonstrate mutual respect for one another and for any course guests and members of the community
with whom they come into contact.
Please avoid crosstalk, text messaging, and turn off (or set to vibrate) cell phones etc., anything that can
be distracting and take away from a climate of mutual learning or attentive listening and participation.
Student announcements of related events and opportunities of interest to students may be made at the
end of the class. Students should let the instructor know if they have an announcement to make. Feel
free to bring refreshments to class for yourself and/or others; but please help clean up afterwards. On
the last day of class, we will hold a dish-2-pass/pot luck to celebrate the end of the semester.
Email correspondence: Direct any inquiries to the instructor via e-mail. A response can be expected
within 24 hours Mon – Thur and within 48 hours on a weekend or during holiday breaks.
Page 8 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
VI.
Institutional Policies
Accessibility: Support services and accommodations are available to provide students with disabilities
greater accessibility to the academic environment. Those eligible include students with mobility, visual
and hearing impairments. It also included students with learning disabilities, psychiatric disorders or any
medical condition that limits one or more of life’s basic functions. The Office of Disabled Students is
located in Student Services, 1128 East Building, 68th Street Campus, (212) 772-4857/TTY (212) 650-3230.
For more information visit: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/access). If a student has
special accommodations that are necessary for class sessions, exams or presentations, please let the
instructor know at the beginning of the semester.
Academic Integrity: Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism, cheating on
exams, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious
offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY
Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter
College Academic Integrity Procedures. For more information, visit:
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/advising/policies-sub/policies-academic-integrity .
Help with research and writing: Feedback will be given on the quality of all written assignments. If you
require further assistance with improving your writing skills, consider visiting the Student Reading and
Writing Center on the main campus. For more information, visit http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/ .
Last day to drop the course without the grade of “W” will be Nov 9th. Hunter has three types of grades
of withdrawal: W, WA, and WU. There may be serious academic and financial consequences associated
with course withdrawal. Discuss your situation with an Advisor in the Office of Student Services, 1119
East Building or in the Office of Financial Aid, Room 241 North Building.
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/advising/policies-sub/policies-course-withdrawal.
Grade of Incomplete: Incomplete final grades will not be granted unless the request is justified by
legitimate and documented emergencies. The granting of an INCOMPLETE is at the discretion of the
instructor. Only students averaging C or above in the course are eligible to request an incomplete
course grade. According to Hunter regulations, there is no absolute right to a grade of incomplete. In
the case that an incomplete grade is granted, the student must negotiate and prepare a signed contract
with the instructor specifying the terms and timeline for completion of all outstanding work. The
student will not be permitted to register for classes in the upcoming semester unless this contract is on
file in the UPH office and the instructor advises the Program Director when the INCOMPLETE has been
resolved.
Grade appeals: When a student considers a final course grade unsatisfactory, the student should first
confer with the instructor. Please consult with the instructor within the first three weeks of the
following semester. If the student is still not satisfied, s/he should promptly contact the department
chair in writing giving the factual reasons and basis for the complaint. Students have the right to
request in writing that the chair appoint a student as a member to the department/school Grade
Page 9 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Appeals Committee. This appeal at the department/school level must be submitted within the first five
weeks of the semester following receipt of the grade. For further guidance, please refer to the “Collegewide Grade Appeals Procedures” adopted by the Senate in fall 1985. Copies of this procedure may be
obtained in the Senate Office, the Office of Student Services, or departmental offices. For more
information, visit: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/advising/policies-sub/policiesacademic-appeals .
VII.
Session Schedule and Assigned Readings
(C) = In Class (OL) = On-Line
Session 1. (C) Aug 29. Introductions and Overview: An urban public health framework
Required reading:
Galea S, Freudenberg N, Vlahov D. A framework for the study of urban health. In: Freudenberg N,
Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press;
2006: 3-18.
Create a student profile in BlackBoard.
Session 2. (OL) Sep 5. The social determinants of health and health disparities
Required readings:
Link BG, Phelan J. Social conditions as fundamental causes of disease. Journal of Health and Social
Behavior. 1995; (Extra Issue): 80-94.
Robert SA, Booske BS. US opinions on health determinants and social policy as health policy. American
Journal of Public Health. 2011; 101(9):1655-1663.
Optional readings:
Geronimus AT. To mitigate, resist, or undo: Addressing structural influences on the health of urban
populations. American Journal of Public Health. 2000; 90(6): 867-872.
U.S. News & World Report. Health disparities persist in U.S., Report says. Available at:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2011/01/13/health-disparities-persist-inus-report-shows . Accessed on August 15, 2011.
Websites to browse:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health disparities. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/omhd/topic/healthdisparities.html
World Health Organization. Social determinants of health. Available at:
http://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
Page 10 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Session 3 (C) Sep 12. Research on urban health: Theoretical & methodological foundations
Galea S, Schulz A. Methodological considerations in the study of urban health: How do we best assess how
cities affect health? In: Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville,
TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006: 277-293.
Krieger, N. Theories for social epidemiology in the 21st century: An ecosocial perspective. International Journal of
Epidemiology. 2001; 30: 669-677.
Optional Readings:
Morgan, DF. Practical strategies for combining qualitative and quantitative methods: Applications to
health research. Qualitative Health Research. 1998; 8(3): 362-376.
Schwartz S, Carpenter KM. The right answer for the wrong question: Consequences of type III error for
public health research. American Journal of Public Health. 1999; 89(8): 1175-1180.
Session 4: Sep 19. (OL) Historical perspectives on urban public health
Assignment due: Public health brief
Required readings:
Alcabes P. Introduction. The origins of dread. In: Dread: How Fear and Fantasy Have Fueled Epidemics
from the Black Death to Avian Flu. Cambridge MA: Public Affairs, 2009: 1-4.
Colgrove J. The McKeown Thesis: A historical controversy and its enduring influence. American Journal
of Public Health. 2002: 92(5): 725-729.
Kraut A. Plagues and prejudice: nativism’s construction of disease in nineteenth and twentieth century
New York. In: Rosner D, editor. Hives of Sickness: Public Health and Epidemics in New York City. New
Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1995: 65-90.
Rosner, D. Public health in U.S. cities: A historical perspective. In: Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D,
eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006:129-142.
Szreter S. The McKeown thesis: Rethinking McKeown: The relationship between public health and social
change. American Journal of Public Health. 2002; 95(2):722-725.
Websites to browse:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Timeline. Available at:
Page 11 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
http://www.cdc.gov/about/history/timeline.htm
US Department of Health and Human Services. History of the US Public Health Service Commissioned
Corps. Available at: http://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/history.aspx
Session 5: Oct 3. (C) The urban physical and occupational environment.
Required readings:
Buchanan S. Day labor and occupational health: Time to take a closer look. New Solutions. 2004; 14:
253-260.
Duneier M. Sidewalk. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1999:43-80.
Klitzman S, Matte TD, Kass DE. The urban physical environment and its effects on health. In:
Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt
University Press; 2006:61-84.
McCauley LA. Immigrant workers in the United States: recent trends, vulnerable populations, and
challenges for occupational health. AAOHN Journal: Official Journal of the American Association of
Occupational Health Nurses. 2005; 3(7):313-319.
Please also take a look at:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Depression among adults employed fulltime, by occupational category. The NSDUH Report. 2007, October 11. Available at:
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/depression/occupation.htm
Session 6. Oct 17. (OL) The urban social environment
Required readings:
Coutts A, Kawachi I. The urban social environment and its effects on health. In: Freudenberg N, Galea
S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006:
49-60.
Klinenberg E. Dying alone: The social production of urban isolation. Ethnography. 2001;2(4):501-531.
Litt JS, Soobader MJ, Turbin MS, et al. The influence of social involvement, neighborhood aesthetics, and
community garden participation on fruit and vegetable consumption. American Journal of Public Health. 2011;
101(8): 1466-1473.
Whitehead M, Diderichsen F. Social capital and health: tip-toeing through the minefield of evidence. Lancet.
2001; 358: 156-166.
Library assignment due October 22nd
Page 12 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Session 7. Oct 24. (C) Social inequalities and health
Assignment due: Collaborative public health literature review article, first draft
Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice. A New Vision for Advancing Our Movement for
Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Health and Reproductive Justice. Oakland, CA: Asian Communities for
Reproductive Justice, 2005.
Dressler WW, Oths KS, Gravlee CC. Race and ethnicity in public health: Models to explain health
disparities. Annual Review of Anthropology. 2005 (34): 231-252.
Erwin PC. Poverty in America: How public health practice can make a difference. American Journal of
Public Health. 2008; 98(9): 1570-1572.
Golembeski C, Fullilove R. Criminal (in)justice in the city and its associated health consequences.
American Journal of Public Health. 2008; 98(1): S185-S190.
LaVeist T, Pollack K, Thorpe R, Fesahazion, Gaskin D. Place, not race: Disparities dissipate in Southwest
Baltimore when blacks and whites live under similar conditions. Health Affairs 2011; 30 (10): 18801887.
Williams DR and Collins C. Racial residential segregation: A fundamental cause of racial disparities in
health. Public Health Reports. 2001; 116: 404-416.
Session 8. Oct 31. (OL) The impact of urbanization, migration and suburbanization on health
Required readings:
Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D. Changing living conditions; changing health: U.S. cities since World
War II. In: Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN:
Vanderbilt University Press; 2006: 19-45.
Frumkin H. Cities, suburbs, and urban sprawl: Their impact on health. In: Freudenberg N, Galea S,
Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006:
143-175.
Fullilove MT. Root shock: The consequences of African American dispossession. Journal of Urban
Health. 2001; 78 (1):72-80.
Fullilove MT. Fifty ways to destroy a city: Undermining the social foundation of health. In: Freudenberg
N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press;
2006: 176-193.
Page 13 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Optional reading:
Packer G. The megacity. New Yorker. 2006, November 13; 82(37): 62-75.
Website to browse:
Population Reference Bureau. Human Population: Urbanization. Available at:
http://www.prb.org/Educators/TeachersGuides/HumanPopulation/Urbanization.aspx
Session 9: Nov 7. (C) Urban public health nutrition
Required readings:
Dorfman L, Wallack L. Moving nutrition upstream: The case for reframing obesity. Journal of Nutrition
Education and Behavior. 2007;39:S45-S50.
Kwate NOA, Yau CY, Loh JM and Williams D. Inequality in obesigenic environments: Fast food density in
New York City. Health & Place. 2009;15:364-373.
Nestle M, Jacobson MF. Halting the obesity epidemic: A public health policy approach. Public Health
Reports. 2000; 115(1): 12-24.
Yeh MC, Katz DL. Food, nutrition and the health of urban populations. In: Freudenberg N, Galea S,
Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006:106125.
Please also take a look at:
Michael Pollan's overview of how the food system developed into its present state and how people are
trying to change it. http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/the-food-movement-rising/htm
Tom Forster's overview of the US Farm Bill, the every-5-year federal legislation that sets food policy in
the US. http://www.foodsystemsnyc.org/articles/farm-bill-march-2011
Session 10. Nov 14. (OL) Global perspectives on urban health
Required readings:
Harhay M. Water stress and water scarcity: A global problem. American Journal of Public Health.
2011;101(8):1348-1349.
McGranahan G, Satterthwaite D. A developing world perspective: Health and deficiencies in provision
for water and sanitation in urban areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. In:
Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt
University Press; 2006:194-208.
Page 14 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Video to watch:
TED talk by Hans Rosling:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html
Session 11. Nov 19. (C) Current issues in public health
Guest Lecture: Joan H Tisch Distinguished Fellow in Public Health, Dr. Sue Atkinson
[Special note: this will be held on Mon Nov 19th from 6-8 PM in SLB Room 115B. A podcast will be made
available on-line for those who cannot attend.]
Assignment due: Midterm Exam
Required readings: TBA
Session 12. Nov 28. (OL) From cultural differences to cultural meaningful frameworks
Bender D. E. et al. Improving access for Latino immigrants: Evaluation of language training adapted to
the needs of health professionals. Journal of Immigrant Health. 2004; 6(4): 197-209.
Ito KL. Health culture and the clinical encounter: Vietnamese refugees’ responses to preventive drug
treatment of inactive tuberculosis. Medical Anthropology Quarterly. 1999; 13(3):338-364.
Viladrich A, Ming-Chin Y, Bruning N, Weiss R. Do real women have curves? Paradoxical body images
among Latinas in New York City. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 2009; 11:20-28.
Session 13. Dec 5. (OL) Urban public health interventions and community health programs
Required readings:
Freudenberg, N. Interventions to improve urban health. In: Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds.
Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press; 2006:294-326.
Johnson K. Schools restore fresh cooking to the cafeteria. New York Times. August 16, 2011:A16.
Koh HK, Oppenheimer SC, Massin-Short, SB, et al. Translating research evidence into practice to reduce
health disparities: A social determinants approach. American Journal of Public Health. 2010;100(S1):S72S80.
Richie B, Freudenberg N, Page J. Reintegrating women leaving jail into urban communities: A description
of a model program. Journal of Urban Health. 2001;78:290-303.
Shea S, Basch ChE, Wechsler H, Lantigua R. The Washington Heights-Inwood Healthy Heart Program: A
6-year report from the field. American Journal of Public Health. 1996; 86(2):166-171.
Page 15 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
Stokols D. Translating social ecological theory into guidelines for community health promotion.
American Journal of Health Promotion. 1996; 10(4): 282-298.
Please also take a look at:
Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Gibbs, Speaker Quinn, Council Member Brewer, Health Commissioner
Farley and Parks Commissioner Benepe announce NYC public parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas are
now smoke-free. Available at: http://www.nyc.gov/ . Accessed Aug. 15, 2011. (please search the site by
the title above).
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Health department reports more than 600,000 HIV
tests conducted through The Bronx Knows initiative. Available at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2011/pr014-11.shtml Accessed on August 15, 2011.
Session 14. Dec 12. (C) Oral Presentations
Required reading:
Institute of Medicine. Who will keep the public healthy? Educating public health professionals for the
21st century. Brief Report. The National Academy of Sciences, 2002.
Session 15. Dec 19. (C) Oral presentations, wrap-up and dish-to-pass
Assignment due: Collaborative public health literature review article, final version
Required reading:
Vlahov D, Galea S, Freudenberg N. Creating healthier cities: Where do we go from here? In:
Freudenberg N, Galea S, Vlahov D, eds. Cities and the Health of the Public. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt
University Press; 2006: 327-344.
VIII. Course Schedule at a Glance
[(C) = Class will meet in Room 215 SB (OL) = Class will meet On-Line]
Session
1.
Date
Aug 29
(C)
2.
Sep 5
(OL)
Topic
Introductions &
Overview of Course:
An urban public health
framework
Theoretical
Foundations: The social
determinants of disease
Readings and Assignments
Required reading:
Cities and the Health of the Public [hereafter,
CHP]: Galea et al. - Chapter 1
Required readings:
Robert & Booske (2011); Link & Phelan (1995)
Optional readings:
Geronimus (2000); US News & World Report
(2011); Browse: CDC; WHO website
Page 16 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
3.
Sep 12
(C)
Theory & Practice of
Urban Public Health
Research
Required readings:
CHP: Galea & Schulz – Chapter 14; Krieger (2001);
Optional readings:
Morgan (1998); Schwartz & Carpenter (1999)
4.
Sep 19
(OL)
Historical Perspectives
on Urban Public Health
Required readings:
Alcabes (2009); Colgrove (2002); Kraut (1995); CHP:
Rosner- Chapter 7; Szreter (2002)
PUBLIC HEALTH BRIEF DUE
Oct 3
(C)
NO CLASS Sep 26
The Urban Physical &
Required readings:
Occupational
Buchanan (2004), Duneier (1999); CHP: KlitzmanEnvironment
Chapter 4; McCauley (05)
Oct 17
(OL)
NO CLASS Oct 10
The Social Environment Required readings:
CHP: Coutts & Kawachi, Chapter 3; Klinenberg
(2001); Litt (2011); Whitehead (2001)
7.
Oct 24
(C)
Library Assignment due Oct 22
Social Inequalities &
Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice (ACRJ);
Health - OL
Dressler et al (2005); Erwin (2008); Golembeski
(2008); LaViest (2011); Williams & Collins (2001)
8.
Oct 31
(OL)
The Impact of
Urbanization, Migration
& Suburbanization on
Health
9.
Nov 7
(C)
Public Health Nutrition
5.
6.
FIRST VERSION, LITERATURE REVIEW PAPER DUE
Required readings:
CHP : Freudenberg et al - Chapter 2; CHP: Frumkin
- Chapter 8; CHP: Fullilove- Chapter 9; Fullilove
2001
Optional reading: Packer (2006)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Required readings:
Dorfman & Wallack (07); Kwate et al (09); Nestle &
Jacobson (2000); CHP: Yeh & Katz – Chapter 6;
Michael Pollack website; segments of Farm Bill
(available on-line)
10.
Nov 14
(OL)
Global Perspectives
Required readings:
Harhay (2011); CHP: McGranahan & Satterthwaite Chapter 10
Page 17 of 18
PH 755.02 Fall
2012
11.
Nov 19
(C)
Current Issues in Public
Health
Invited Guest Speaker: Joan H Tisch Distinguished
Visiting Fellow, Sue Atkinson
Required Readings: TBA
MIDTERM EXAM DUE NOV 21
12.
Nov 28
(OL)
From Cultural
Required readings:
Differences to Cultural
Bender et al (2004); Ito (1999); Viladrich et al.
Meaningful Frameworks (2009); Romero Packet
13.
Dec 5
(OL)
Public Health
Interventions &
Community Health
Programs
Required readings:
CHP: Freudenberg – Chapter 15; Johnson (2011);
Koh (2010); Richie et al (2001); Shea et al (1996);
Stokols (1996); Mayor Bloomberg & NYC DOHMH
web sites (available on-line)
14.
Dec 12
(C)
Oral Presentations
Required reading:
IOM (2002)
15.
Dec 19
(C)
Oral Presentations
Last Class/Dish2Pass
Required reading:
CHP: Vlahov et al – Chapter 16
FINAL LITERATURE REVIEW PAPER DUE
Page 18 of 18