Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with knowledge and understanding of the main themes in hygiene and public health. At the end of the course the student will have to be able to frame the most important determinants of health and disease in the field of infectious and cancer diseases preventable with vaccines and in the context of environmental hygiene with the aim of understanding the importance of protect and promote health at the community level.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The "General and applied hygiene" module is an integral part of the course HYGIENE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH POLICIES and covers general and specific aspects of hygiene and public health.
The teaching is focused on primary prevention and in particular the epidemiology and prophylaxis of vaccine-preventable diseases, in different age groups: childhood diseases and vaccines of the National Vaccine Prevention Plan, adult, elderly and of groups at risk. In addition, vaccination schedules and strategies are presented.
In the second part of the module, on the other hand, the main environmental risks for health are examined with particular reference to the themes of One health and sustainable development. Notions of integrated water cycle, integrated waste cycle and atmospheric pollution are provided.
In addition, students will be taught about the health-related elements in architecture and city planning.
Full programme
Vaccines currently used in Italy: mandatory vaccines, main vaccinations for adults, elderly, and high-risk groups.
Objectives of the National Vaccination Prevention Plan and vaccination schedule in Italy.
Definitions of "Cocooning," "Catch-up," and "Booster." Trends in vaccination coverage in Italy. The issue of vaccine hesitancy.
Infectious diseases preventable by vaccinations.
Poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, viral hepatitis B, pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps, chickenpox, Herpes Zoster.
Invasive bacterial infections, Hib infection, pneumococcal diseases, meningococcal meningitis. HPV infections, influenza virus infections, and control strategies, rotavirus, viral hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and yellow fever. Other infectious diseases preventable by vaccinations (Covid-19, dengue, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis, tick-borne encephalitis). Strategies for preventing non-vaccine preventable infectious diseases (HIV-AIDS).
Environmental matrices and their effects on health.
What is meant by "One Health" and "Planetary health."
What is meant by the environment and what are the most relevant environmental factors that can affect human health.
Effects of climate change on human health.
Main health effects of air pollution on human health.
What are the characteristics of soil and what are the main pollutants.
The integrated water cycle: characteristics of water intended for human consumption and the distribution of drinking water. Health risks related to the consumption of contaminated water and the main treatments.
The integrated waste cycle: removal, disposal, and treatment of sewage and health risks; classification of solid waste and main environmental and health issues. Waste collection and disposal systems and related health risks. What are healthcare waste and disposal systems.
Major international environmental policies.
What is meant by sustainable development.
Which organizations are responsible for environmental policies and controls in Italy.
Urban Health and Indoor Environments.
What is meant by "Urban Health": characteristics of a "healthy city" and what is meant by sustainable mobility.
Key hygiene and health-related aspects to consider in urban planning and major sources of pollution in urban settings.
Bibliography
• Signorelli C. Igiene, Epidemiologia e Sanità Pubblica. SEU, Roma, 2021.
Pontello, Auxilia. Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e salute globale, Piccin 2021
• Course materials (slides and lecture notes) from instructors.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught through frontal lectures as well as through case reports and interactive sessions that will give students the opportunity to deal with data and real situations to understand how the tools and issues of public health are transversal to different clinical settings.
Assessment methods and criteria
The module is an integral part of the course "Hygiene, public health and health policies"
The course includes a single final exam (written)
The final evaluation will take place through a multiple-choice quiz conducted on ELLY, after the students are called in person, possibly divided into groups, for their identification.
The test consists of a 45-minute quiz with 31 multiple-choice questions. The test will cover all the topics covered in all modules of the course.
One point is assigned to each correct answer, and the minimum score to pass the test is 18. The test is evaluated on a scale of 0-31. A student who achieves the maximum score (31) will receive honors.
The questions are designed to assess knowledge, the ability to apply knowledge, judgment autonomy, and learning capacity.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA/BSE) must contact the University's Center for Accommodation and Inclusion in advance.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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