Why do people make the health choices they do? How can we design programs, campaigns, and environments that actually make it easier to live healthier lives?
In this project-based course, students will dive into the exciting and impactful field of health promotion, behavior, and public health, exploring how science, creativity, and social change come together to improve health at the community and population level. You’ll learn how public health professionals use research-based theories to understand health behavior, design interventions, and evaluate what works (and what doesn’t) in the real world.
Together, we’ll explore foundational health promotion and behavior theories, examine evidence-based interventions, and learn practical tools like intervention mapping, health campaign design, and program planning and evaluation. In this course, we will learn rigorous concepts AND apply them to a public health concern of YOUR choice!
Throughout the program, you’ll work on a hands-on, student-driven project where you design your own health promotion program, campaign, or intervention focused on an issue you care about, whether that’s mental health, substance use, physical activity, nutrition, sexual health, environmental justice, injury prevention, or another public health challenge that matters to you and your community.
The course will include:
- Interactive lectures, workshops, and activities that build applied public health skills
- Weekly field trips connected to health promotion work happening in the community
- Guest lectures from public health professionals who design and implement programs for a living
- Opportunities to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively about a health topic you are passionate about