Unit Catalogue

Back to Unit Search

PHM559 - Health Policy

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Public Health Research

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit provides an opportunity for students to build upon a range of key public health concepts and skills and apply these to public health policy analysis and development. Students will examine: the nature of health policy; the policy process; contemporary agendas and frameworks; evidence-based health policy; policy implementation, evaluation and advocacy. Students will synthesise and consolidate their learning from previous public health units when developing an advocacy strategy for a relevant public health group.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Explain the nature, purpose and functions of health policy.
2.	Explain the role of evidence in health policy making.
3.	Critically analyse population level public health problems and relevant Australian public health policy responses.
4.	Examine the key factors influencing public health policy development including politics, health determinants, evidence, stakeholders, policy actors and advocacy.
5.	Apply frameworks and theories to the policy development process.
6.	Develop an evidence-based advocacy strategy in response to a population health issue to influence public policy.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Online discussion	10%	1,2,3,4
2.	Health policy analysis (2500 words)	40%	1,2,3,4,5
3.	Advocacy strategy (4000 words)	50%	1,2,3,4,5,6

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 2	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR
2025	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR

* Timetable will be displayed in new tab or window depending on your browser's configuration; ensure Pop-ups are allowed for this site to view the timetable.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2025 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)