University of Oregon
Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management
University Faculty with Public Health Specializations
Course Descriptions
Environmental Health
Environmental Health is a course that will examine the policy implications of population growth, environmentally-linked disease, and health concerns associated with toxic substances, food quality, air pollution, water pollution, noise, solid and hazardous waste, and pesticide use. Whenever possible, topics will be studied in a global context, and will be discussed in light of social, political, and economic systems that impact our collective environment. Classes will include lectures, class discussion, group work, and possible guest presentations and films. Instructor: Elisabeth Maxwell. Full syllabus available.
Healthy Communities
What are social determinants of health? What is it about living in certain communities that leads to poor health? How do community factors affect health? How do we measure the health of a community? This course provides a broad overview to public health’s approach to answering these questions, and considers three modifiable factors influencing health; medical care factors, social and behavioral factors (e.g. tobacco, obesity, and stress) and environmental issues (e.g. clean air, clean water). In addition to examining the evidence that links these factors to community health, we will evaluate public policy influences, healthcare delivery system design factors and community planning strategies to improve public health. Students will be introduced to basic methodologies to collect meaningful data, discover how to read and interpret health-related research and learn how research findings can be applied to impact public policy.