Learning objectives
The objective for students is to attain knowledge and comprehension of the key topics in hygiene and public health. By the end of the course, the student should be capable of classifying the most significant determinants of health and disease within the sphere of living environment, with the goal of understanding the importance of protecting and promoting community health
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The module "General and Applied Hygiene" is an integral part of the "HYGIENE, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HEALTH POLICIES" course and covers general and specific aspects of hygiene and public health.
The main environmental health risks are examined with particular reference to One Health and sustainable development issues. Notions are provided on the main environmental health determinants: air pollution, climate change, integrated water cycle, integrated waste cycle. Finally, the module delves into the topic of urban planning linked to health
Full programme
Environmental matrices and their effects on health. What is meant by "One Health" and "Health in All Policies". What is meant by environment and what are the most relevant environmental factors that can influence human health. Effects of climate change on human health. Atmospheric pollution and main air pollutants. Main effects on human health of atmospheric pollution: greenhouse effect and ozone hole risks. What are the characteristics of soil and what are the main pollutants. The integrated water cycle: what are the characteristics of water intended for human consumption and how is the distribution of drinking water done. Health risks related to the consumption of polluted waters and what are the main treatments. What are the main hygienic-sanitary aspects related to the use of water for recreational purposes? The integrated waste cycle: how is the removal, disposal, and treatment of sewage done and what are the health risks; how are solid waste classified and what are the main environmental and health problems. What are the systems for collecting and disposing of solid waste and what are the related health risks. What is meant by medical waste and what are the disposal systems. What are the most important international environmental policies. What are the bodies responsible for environmental policies and controls in Italy. What is meant by the precautionary principle. What is meant by Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and Health Impact Assessment (HIA). What is meant by NIMBY syndrome. What are the tools to increase knowledge and environmental awareness of the population. Urban Health and Indoor Environments What is meant by "Urban Health": what are the characteristics of the "healthy city" and what is meant by sustainable mobility. Main aspects of hygienic-sanitary relevance to consider in urban planning and main sources of pollution in urban contexts.
Bibliography
Auxilia, Pontello. Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e Salute globale, Piccin 2021.
Barbuti, Fara, Giammanco et al. Igiene Medicina Preventiva Sanità Pubblica. Edises Editore 2022.
Signorelli. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica. Società Editrice Universo 2021.
Learning material used during the lessons provided by the teacher
Signorelli, Odone «Elementi di metodologia epidemiologica» Società Editrice Universo, 2023.
Slide presentations will be used to support lectures, and these materials will be accessible to students on the Elly platform (https://elly.medicina.unipr.it).
Teaching methods
The course will be conducted through traditional frontal lectures, as well as interactive sessions featuring case studies. These sessions will allow students to engage with real-world data and situations, demonstrating the cross-disciplinary nature of epidemiology, prevention, and public health in various clinical contexts.
Lessons will be supported by visual aids, and these materials will be made available to students on the Elly platform
Assessment methods and criteria
Assessment:
The course is concluded by a single final exam, which is a written test. The final exam aims to assess students' abilities in connecting, learning, critically analyzing, and solving specific cases in public health, which they have acquired throughout the course.
Exam Details:
The final exam consists of 31 multiple-choice questions, which students are required to answer within a 45-minute time frame.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
