Logic and techniques of research methods applied to health education. Emphasis on formulating research problems; developing research designs; collecting, analyzing, and reporting data as they relate to solution of community health problems.

Students choose a topic to research on their own under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will then grade the final written report.

This course will provide a broad overview of various issues related to aging in the public health context. It will first review the demography of aging and the life course that are responsible for the significant rise in the aged population. The course will introduce the aging network and the complex relationship between the federal, state, and local government in providing the necessary resources for the aging population.

Major methodologies useful in health research. Topics include philosophy of scientific investigation, field research, participant, survey research, experimental design, construction of questionnaires, and attitudes scales; the format for writing a research prospectus.

Concepts of program evaluation and their application to the health field. Emphasis on theoretical concepts and their application to development of practical skills in program evaluation.

Introduction to the philosophy, nature, and scope of health organizations; administration and organization of governmental health programs, economic and political forces and their effects on health services.

This course will introduce students to basic concepts and key issues in health policy in the United States, including how aspects of the policy environment (e.g. government institutions, stakeholders, public opinion) shape public health and the provision of health care services. We will also address the history of national health reform efforts and examine the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in detail. Course content and activities will help students to develop skills and strategies to critically analyze health policy issues and to communicate effectively in the policy context.

Review of communication sources, channels, messages, reception, and effects, diffusion of health information, adoption of preventive health behavior, and mass media and social change patterns.