MyAV·¶

This module aims to provide an introduction to social epidemiology, describe basic theories and concepts used in social epidemiology and in studies of health and social inequalities. It presents current, up-to-the-minute evidence of the influence of range of factors on inequalities in health, including chronic disease (i.e. cardiovascular disease) and infectious disease (i.e. covid-19). You will be encouraged to critically assess the evidence presented. Topics to be covered will include historical socio-economic inequalities, and the role of gender, ethnicity, lifestyle, deprivation, place, transportation and social relationships on health. You will also be introduced to the role of material, behavioural and psycho-social pathways in the study of social epidemiology with a life course perspective.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

· define the main dimensions of socioeconomic inequality in conceptual terms & some methods of measurement

· explain and draw causal path diagrams of the social determinants of health inequalities

· identify, collate and present evidence on an aspect of socioeconomic inequality in a health outcome in a population of interest, from a research and policy perspective

· write a short essay on a public health problem with a social determinants of health (SDH) perspective

This module is compulsory for all students in MSc Social Epidemiology. The module may also be attended by other postgraduate students from the Faculty of Population Health and other faculties at MyAV·¶. Spaces on this module are limited to 30 with preference given to students on the MSc course stated above.

Sessions consist of a lecture and discussion or small group work. Materials will be posted on Moodle. Where reading materials are distributed in advance, you will be asked to read these prior to a session.