Title: PUBH 506: Methods for Public Health Practice
Spring Semester 2006: Wednesday, 1-4 pm in conference room in suite 202 at 3401 Market St
Location and time of lab sessions TBA
Course Units: 1.5 cu, to include laboratory (45 theory hours; 21 laboratory hours)
Course Overview: This is a course designed around modules whose objective is to provide students with greater familiarity in a
range of methods essential to public health practice. The course will be framed around an in depth needs assessment and community
public health planning within Philadelphia. Topics covered will include data collection and evaluation, both quantitative and
qualitative, uses of informatics in public health, analysis of vital statistics, working with communities, methods for developing and
facilitating solutions to public health problems, including concepts of advocacy and policy formation, presentation skills and
development of interventions. The course demonstrates how core public health competency areas provide foundations for applications
for both practice and practice-based research.
Faculty:
Walter Tsou MD, MPH (Course Coordinator) walter.tsou@verizon.net
John Holmes PhD: Jholmes@cceb.med.upenn.edu
Pre-requisites: Currently enrolled in a graduate program; introductory epidemiology and biostatistics courses; PUBH 500 prior or
concurrent
Course Objectives:
1. Integration and application of public health concepts into methods and practice
2. Exposure to methodological topics and resources not covered or only touched upon in other public health courses
3. Understanding of how basic biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences provide a foundation for public health
practice
4. Complement the overview provided by PUBH 500 as well as the capstone’s hands-on approach to evidence-based public health
Course Project (Lab):
Working in pairs, a community based work product will serve as the evaluation of the course and will consist of the following:
Steps
Approximate Timeline
An evaluation of the vital statistics or PHMC community health
February 15
database report of Philadelphia using census tract or zip code
level data.
Identification of a census tract or zip code of disparity as
February 22
determined by vital statistics, based on GIS mapping. (Each
pair will choose a distinct census tract area from each other).
Taking selected digital pictures of the neighborhoods in the
March
census tract where a possible intervention could be
implemented.
Interview and/or focus group of at least five key informants or
March / April
residents to better understand a community based intervention.
A literature review of community based interventions which
March / April
may be relevant in the chosen census tract
A proposed intervention, including job descriptions, personnel,
March / April
supplies, and proposed budget
A powerpoint presentation of these findings at the conclusion
April 19
of the course. A written report.
Date
Jan 11
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 25
Jan 26
Feb 1
Feb 8
Feb 15
Feb 22
Mar 1
Mar 8
Mar 15
Mar 22
Topic
Brief Introduction to Course (1/2 hour)
Census, CDC sets (NHIS, NHANES, SEER,
etc.)
Completion of Birth and Death Certificates
Collection of Vital Statistics (2 hours)
Understanding Phila. Statistics (12-1:30 PM)
Analyzing Vital Statistics (age adjustment,
SMR, interpretation)
State data sets (12-1:30)
PHMC Community Health Database
Community level survey design,
questionnaire development
Displaying data, GIS systems
Includes hands on session in mapping and
presenting data
Introduction to community based
participatory research
Presentation of intervention.
Mapping a community’s assets
Planning a community intervention
National data sources Assessing data
quality; information security
Focus groups and interpreting qualitative
interviews
Spring Break – No class
Budget, Personnel
Effective communication about policy issues
Risk Communication
Faculty
Drs. Walter Tsou,
John Holmes
Assignments
Review: Resource
list (emailed)
Lab**
Hours
3
Dr. John Holmes
Dr. Douglas Ewbank
3
Dr. David Webb
Dr. John Holmes
1.5
3
Jerry Orris
Dr. Lynne Kotranski
1.5
3
Dr. John Farrar
Dr. Amy Hillier
3
Dr. Shiriki
Kumanyika and Dr.
Chanita Hughes
Dr. Walter Tsou
3
Dr. John Holmes,
3
3
Dr.Fran Barg
Dr. Walter Tsou
3
Dr. Robert Hornik
3
Mar 29
April 5
April 12
April 19
Lab: Visiting Community Sites
Media Training, Presentation Skills
Public Health Advocacy
Developing public policies
Presentation of Proposals
Dr. Walter Tsou
Dr, Walter Tsou
Stan Shapiro
Drs. John Holmes,
Walter Tsou
3
3
3
3
* *Dates for lab sessions are negotiable and will be discussed during first class session
Teaching Methods:
Lecture and readings
Evaluation Methods:
Class participation: 25%
Project:
75%
Required Readings:
Assigned readings
Selected References:
American Journal of Public Health web site: www.ajph.org
Brownson,RC, Baker,EA,Leet,TL, Gillespie,KN (Eds) (2003). Evidence-based Public Health. New York: Oxford University Press
Thorogood,M, Coombes,Y. (Editors)(2000) Evaluating Health Promotion: Practice and Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zaza S, Briss PA, Harris KW, The Guide to Community Preventive Services, Feb 2005, Oxford University Press