Foundations of Social Epidemiology

Catalog description

This course will familiarize students with theories, concepts, empirical evidence, and epidemiological methods used to study the relationship between social factors and health disparities. The course emphasizes the role of social conditions in shaping an individual's exposure to disease risk and access to health promoting resources. The role of race, ethnicity, social capital, and socioeconomic status will be discussed in relation distributions of population health. Approaches to measurement and study design will be reviewed. Students will critically evaluate theoretical, methodological and empirical issues, and identify strengths and limitations of the discipline.