Public Health Social Sciences

Unit 1 – Intro to Behavioral Sciences in Public Health

Unit 2 – Health Behavior Theories & Models

Unit 3 – Social Determinants of Health

Unit 4 – Health Disparities and Equity in Public Health

Unit 5 – Cultural Competence in Public Health

Unit 6 – Health Communication Strategies

Unit 7 – Community Engagement in Public Health

Unit 8 – Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

Unit 9 – Mental Health & Psychological Well-being

Unit 10 – Chronic Disease Prevention & Management

Unit 11 – Behavioral & Social Interventions in Health

Unit 12 – Policy & Environment in Public Health

Unit 13 – Program Planning and Evaluation in Public Health

Unit 14 – Ethics & Social Justice in Public Health

Unit 15 – Future Trends in Behavioral Public Health

## What do you learn in Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health

You'll explore how social and behavioral factors influence health outcomes and public health interventions. The course covers theories of health behavior, social determinants of health, health disparities, and strategies for promoting healthy behaviors. You'll also learn about community-based approaches, health communication, and policy interventions to address public health challenges.

## Is Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health hard?

It's not the easiest class, but it's definitely manageable. The concepts can be a bit abstract at first, and there's a lot of reading involved. But once you start connecting the dots between social factors and health outcomes, it gets pretty interesting. The trickiest part is usually applying theories to real-world scenarios, but that's also where it gets most engaging.

## Tips for taking Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create mind maps to visualize connections between social determinants and health outcomes
3. Stay up-to-date with current public health issues and relate them to course concepts
4. Form study groups to discuss and debate health behavior theories
5. Practice applying theories to real-world scenarios (e.g., using the Health Belief Model to explain vaccine hesitancy)
6. Watch documentaries like "Unnatural Causes" to see social determinants of health in action
7. Engage in class discussions – they're great for understanding different perspectives

## Common pre-requisites for Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health

1. Introduction to Public Health: This course provides an overview of public health principles, history, and current challenges. It sets the foundation for understanding the broader context of public health work.

2. Basic Statistics: You'll learn about statistical methods and their applications in public health research. This class helps you understand and interpret data in future public health courses.

3. Introduction to Epidemiology: This course covers the basics of disease distribution and determinants in populations. It's crucial for understanding how health issues spread and affect communities.

## Classes similar to Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health

1. Health Psychology: Explores the psychological factors that influence health and illness. You'll learn about stress, coping mechanisms, and how behavior affects health outcomes.

2. Medical Sociology: Examines how social factors impact health, healthcare systems, and medical practices. It covers topics like social inequalities in health and the social construction of illness.

3. Community Health: Focuses on health promotion and disease prevention at the community level. You'll learn about community-based interventions and how to assess community health needs.

4. Global Health: Explores health issues and disparities on a global scale. This course covers international health systems, global health policies, and cross-cultural approaches to health.

## Majors related to Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health

1. Public Health: Focuses on promoting and protecting the health of populations through education, research, and policy. Students learn about epidemiology, health policy, and environmental health.

2. Health Education: Prepares students to design, implement, and evaluate health education programs. Coursework includes health behavior theories, program planning, and community health assessment.

3. Social Work: Trains students to help individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. The curriculum covers social welfare policy, human behavior, and intervention strategies.

4. Health Psychology: Combines psychology and health sciences to understand how biological, social, and psychological factors affect health. Students study health behaviors, stress management, and psychosocial aspects of illness.

## What can you do with a degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health?

1. Health Educator: Develops and implements programs to promote health and prevent disease in communities. Health educators work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.

2. Public Health Analyst: Collects and analyzes data to inform public health policies and programs. They often work for government agencies or research institutions to evaluate health trends and interventions.

3. Community Health Worker: Serves as a liaison between health/social services and the community. They provide outreach, community education, and help individuals access health care and other resources.

4. Health Policy Advisor: Develops and analyzes health policies at local, state, or national levels. They work with policymakers to address public health issues and improve health outcomes for populations.

## Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health FAQs

1. How much math is involved in this course? There's not a ton of heavy math, but you'll need to understand basic statistics and be able to interpret data. Most of the focus is on concepts and theories rather than calculations.

2. Can I use this course for other health-related majors? Absolutely! The concepts you learn are applicable to fields like nursing, health administration, and even pre-med programs.

3. Are there any group projects in this class? Many professors include group projects to simulate real-world public health teamwork. It's a great way to apply theories and practice collaboration skills.

4. How does this course relate to current events like pandemics? You'll definitely discuss current public health issues and learn to analyze them through behavioral and social science lenses. It's super relevant to understanding health crises and responses.

Public Health

1.1 Foundations of Public Health and Behavioral Sciences

1.2 Historical Context and Evolution of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health

1.3 Key Concepts and Principles in Behavioral and Social Sciences

1.4 Interdisciplinary Nature of Public Health

2.1 Individual-Level Theories (Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior)

2.4 Ecological Models and Multilevel Approaches

2.2 Interpersonal-Level Theories (Social Cognitive Theory, Social Support and Social Networks)

2.3 Community-Level Theories (Diffusion of Innovations, Community Organization)

3.1 Conceptual Frameworks for Social Determinants of Health

3.2 Economic Stability and Education

3.3 Social and Community Context

3.4 Health and Healthcare Access

3.5 Neighborhood and Built Environment

4.2 Social and Economic Factors Contributing to Health Disparities

4.3 Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

4.1 Defining Health Disparities and Health Equity

4.4 Strategies for Addressing Health Disparities and Promoting Health Equity

5.1 Principles of Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility

5.3 Culturally Tailored Interventions and Programs

5.2 Cross-Cultural Communication in Public Health Practice

6.1 Principles of Effective Health Communication

6.2 Mass Media and Social Media in Public Health

6.3 Risk Communication and Health Literacy

6.4 Tailoring Health Messages for Diverse Audiences

7.2 Coalition Building and Stakeholder Engagement

7.3 Asset-Based Community Development

7.4 Empowerment and Capacity Building in Communities

7.1 Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

8.1 Principles of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

8.3 Environmental and Policy Approaches to Health Promotion

8.4 Health Education and Health Literacy

8.2 Behavioral Risk Factors and Lifestyle Interventions

9.1 Social and Behavioral Factors in Mental Health

9.2 Stress, Coping, and Resilience

9.3 Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Strategies

9.4 Addressing Stigma and Barriers to Mental Health Care

10.1 Behavioral Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases

10.4 Community-Based Approaches to Chronic Disease Prevention

10.2 Social and Environmental Influences on Chronic Diseases

10.3 Self-Management and Patient Empowerment

11.1 Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies

11.2 Individual and Group-Level Interventions

11.4 Technology-Based Interventions and Digital Health

11.3 Community-Level Interventions

12.2 Built Environment and Health

12.3 Policy Advocacy and Community Mobilization

12.1 Health Policy Development and Analysis

12.4 Health Impact Assessment

13.1 Needs Assessment and Priority Setting

13.2 Program Planning Models and Frameworks

13.3 Implementation Science and Strategies

13.5 Dissemination and Translation of Research to Practice

13.4 Evaluation Designs and Methods

14.1 Ethical Principles in Public Health Practice

14.2 Health as a Human Right

14.4 Ethical Challenges in Public Health Interventions and Research

14.3 Social Justice and Health Equity

15.1 Global Health and Globalization

15.2 Climate Change and Environmental Health

15.3 Technological Advancements and Public Health

15.4 Integration of Behavioral and Social Sciences with Other Public Health Disciplines

Browse all Public Health Social Sciences Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next