Professional/Short course Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Disease

Entry year: 2025/26
Course code: UZVSMR15M
Application: University
Level: Professional/Short Course
School: School of Health and Social Wellbeing
Campus: Frenchay
Duration: Four consecutive weeks
Delivery: Face-to-face
Course Director: Dr Zheng Ma

Introduction

In this 15 credit Epidemiology on Non-Communicable Disease module, you will explore a range of issues relating to the epidemiology of non-communicable disease, with a particular focus on the wider determinants of health (including major risk factors) and areas for public health action.

This module takes a largely global perspective and highlights cross-cutting public health issues such as use of health data to inform action, health inequalities, ethics, the role of industry, partnership working, and a recognition of the challenges of improving complex public health problems.

On successful completion of this level 7 (Masters level) module, you will be able to:

understand the global burden of non-communicable disease epidemiology and its implications for public health
develop critical insight into the social determinants and key risk factors for noncommunicable diseases
understand the role and significance of social, political and economic environments in shaping responses to major noncommunicable diseases
acquire understanding and transferable skills to contribute to national and global public health responses to non-communicable diseases.

Careers / Further study

This module contributes towards the MSc in Public Health.

Structure

Content

The module syllabus typically includes:

Key measures and sources of population health and disease burden, including strengths, weaknesses and other issues.
The epidemiological transition and explanations for observed trends in disease burden.
Epidemiology, risk factors and prevention and control measures for key non-communicable diseases, including but not limited to, circulatory disease, cancer, injury, violence, domestic violence, bullying and mental health.
Epidemiology of underlying risk factors for non-communicable disease, including physical and social environment, physical activity and sedentary
Lifestyle, nutrition, smoking, and alcohol.
Life course approaches to health.
Inequalities in health.
The role and impact of transnational corporations and other actors on non-communicable disease burden.
Principles of screening and current national programmes.
Critical understanding of the impact of the wider determinants of health on the distribution and course of communicable diseases.

Learning and Teaching

You will be able to:

Explore and explain the trends and patterns in the burden of non-communicable disease, both globally and in the UK.
Critically discuss the epidemiology and risk factors of major non communicable diseases, globally and in the UK.
Examine how disease burden is measured and critique the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods.
Critical understanding of health inequalities relating to key non-communicable diseases.
Critically assess the importance of the social, political and economic environment in shaping policy and other responses to major non-communicable disease.
Critically examine the actions necessary to control key non-communicable diseases.

Assessment

A 1 hour 15-minute in-class test and a 1,000-word written piece of coursework assignment, to assess your knowledge and understanding relating to the epidemiology of noncommunicable disease, including determinants, response and measurement.

Features

Study facilities

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Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.

Funding may be available to support your learning. Please contact your Trust Education Lead. If you work in the Private, Independent and Voluntary Sector, please contact your employer who will advise you.

Dates

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How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

For further information

Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158