Public Health Policy and Politics

MPH 105 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

The effective practice of public health in the 21st century demands familiarity with the dynamics of policy development. This includes policy development, enactment, implementation, evaluation, and revision, plus understanding political dynamics to achieve policy change and improvement. While this pursuit is lifelong, learning key foundational elements can quicken and broaden effective inquiry and engagement. This course will introduce MPH students to core and essential elements of policy and politics in the public health context, laying a foundation on which students can expand their familiarity and sophistication throughout their professional careers. Most of the sessions will include the use of a case study to illuminate and explore policy concepts and to familiarize students with public health policy areas. 

Cases will be incorporate a global and/or domestic focus. Two core policy/political models will be consistent reference points in analyzing cases: first, John Kingdon’s agenda-setting model (also known as the multiple streams model) and second, Mark Moore’s strategic triangle (aka: public value) framework. To understand cases and core models, students will learn multiple dimensions of the policy process, including the roles of ethics, evidence, and equity. Students will engage in population-based policy design; evaluate policies to assess their impact on population health and health equity, and practice communication skills relating to public health content.