Social Epidemiology

This course is about understanding the determinants of health from a broadperspective. We focus on how social relationships and institutions -- suchas familial relationships, national policies, and global economic forces-- promote or undermine the health of populations. The course covers existingevidence of health disparities, research methods, and theories relevantto the topic.

The course is interesting because it reveals the so-called fundamentalcauses of disease and health disparities recognizable within social groups.For example, we examine why a flu germ can affect whole groups of peopledifferently. In short, the course challenges the notion that health isa narrowly defined medical problem.

Students in the course will listen to lectures, read provided materials,and complete quizzes and tests that examine comprehension and one's abilityto synthesize ideas.

Upon completion of the course students should:

• have a deep appreciation for how social arrangements impact the health of populations,
• be able to critically evaluate the scientific and popular health literature that address the causes of disease,
• be able to measure key social drivers such as race and socioeconomic status, and 
• be able to conceive of research strategies that can answer questions critical for policy making.