Foundations of Population Health and Health Equity

Many factors influence the health of communities, from individual choices to broader societal structures. Understanding these complex interactions is key to improving public health and addressing persistent challenges. This course provides a foundational understanding of population health principles, equipping you to identify health determinants and develop strategies for addressing disparities within communities. What you'll learn: Understand core concepts in population health and its socio-ecological model. Learn to identify key determinants of health across diverse populations. Analyze the role of the built environment in shaping community health outcomes. Examine the structure of the US healthcare system and major payors. Apply frameworks for addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. Practice interpreting basic population health metrics and data for informed decision-making. The course progresses from foundational definitions and models to practical applications, exploring the influence of environment and policy on health. You'll learn to critically assess health challenges and consider approaches for intervention. This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior experience in public health or healthcare, who are interested in understanding how health is shaped beyond individual medical care. Begin your journey to understanding and impacting population health today.