PUBH 8034: Environmental Health: Local to Global
PUBH 8034 provides a comprehensive overview of environmental factors that affect the health and safety of 21st-century communities. Students examine associations and interrelationships between chemical, physical, and biological hazards in the environment and their impact on human health. Concepts cover food, water, air, waste, radiation, noise, pests, population growth, injury and physical hazards, and climate change. Students analyze and discuss current local and global problems and solutions and consider new ways to address environmental issues.Credits: 5
Format: Online (asynchronous with optional synchronous sessions)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or instructor permission.Course Learning Outcomes(unchanged from previous version)Required Materials(unchanged)Grading Breakdown(unchanged – 1000 points total)Weekly Schedule with Exact
Discussion Prompts and Assignment Prompts
Week 1: Foundations of Environmental Health – Concepts and Frameworks
Main Discussion Prompt:
Introduce yourself and describe one environmental health issue you have personally observed or experienced in your local community (e.g., air quality, water safety, or waste management). Using the DPSEEA framework (Driving forces–Pressures–State–Exposure–Effects–Actions), analyze how this local issue connects to broader global environmental health patterns. What public health significance does it hold? Cite at least two scholarly sources or official reports (e.g., WHO or CDC). Initial post: 500–600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to at least three classmates. For each response, identify one similarity or difference in their issue compared to yours and pose one thoughtful question about how the DPSEEA framework could guide prevention actions. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 1 (30 pts) – Personal Environmental Health Reflection
Write a 500–600 word reflection expanding on your discussion post. Include a simple DPSEEA diagram (created in Word, PowerPoint, or draw.io) for your chosen issue. Discuss how this experience has shaped your view of environmental health as “local to global.” Submit via the assignment link. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 2: Chemical Hazards – Toxicology and Exposure
Main Discussion Prompt:
Select one chemical hazard (e.g., lead, PFAS, mercury, or pesticides). Describe its primary sources, exposure pathways, and known health effects on human populations. Discuss how exposure and impacts differ between local communities (e.g., occupational or residential) and global contexts (e.g., low-resource countries). Address environmental justice implications for vulnerable populations. Cite at least three sources. Initial post: 500–600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Respond to at least three peers by comparing their chemical to yours and suggesting one evidence-based strategy to reduce exposure at either the local or global level. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm. Assignment 2 (35 pts) – Chemical Hazard Analysis
Create a one-page professional fact sheet on your chosen chemical. Include sources, exposure pathways, health effects, vulnerable populations, and one recommended public health action. Submit the fact sheet (PDF) + a 400-word discussion post that links it to your Week 2 main discussion. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 3: Physical Hazards – Radiation, Noise, and Climate
Main Discussion Prompt:
Choose one physical hazard (e.g., extreme heat, noise pollution, or ionizing radiation). Analyze its local health impacts in a specific community or setting versus its global-scale effects (e.g., climate change contributions). Discuss disproportionate burdens on marginalized groups and propose one adaptation or mitigation strategy. Support with data or examples. Initial post: 600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to three classmates, highlighting one strength in their analysis and offering one additional global or local connection. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 3 (35 pts) – Climate Change & Health Impact
Write a 600-word analysis of one climate-related physical hazard. Include local vs. global health impacts, equity considerations, and one data visualization (chart or map). Submit the paper and visualization. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 4: Biological Hazards – Water, Food, and Vectors
Main Discussion Prompt:
Using a provided or self-selected outbreak case study (waterborne, foodborne, or vector-borne), outline the key epidemiologic steps and environmental factors that contributed to the outbreak. Compare local control challenges with global patterns of similar diseases. What role does climate or globalization play? Initial post: 500–600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Respond to three peers by suggesting one additional prevention measure that could apply across scales. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 4 (35 pts) – Outbreak Investigation Simulation
Apply epidemiologic steps to the case study. Submit a 500-word report with control recommendations and a brief discussion post linking it to your main discussion. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 5: Air Quality and Built Environment
Main Discussion Prompt:
Assess air quality issues (outdoor or indoor) in a community of your choice using publicly available data (e.g., EPA tools). Discuss sources, health impacts, and how the built environment exacerbates or mitigates the problem. Address environmental justice dimensions. Initial post: 600–700 words with one data reference. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to three peers with constructive comparisons and one suggestion for built-environment improvements. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 5 (35 pts) – Air Quality Community Assessment
Write a 700-word report including data sources, health impacts, equity analysis, and one EJScreen or map screenshot. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 6: Occupational and Community Environmental Health
Main Discussion Prompt:
Examine an environmental justice case involving community or occupational exposure (e.g., superfund site, industrial pollution). Analyze root causes, health disparities, and community responses. How do local burdens reflect global patterns of inequity? Initial post: 600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Respond to three classmates by identifying one common theme across cases and one potential cross-learning opportunity. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 6 (35 pts) – Environmental Justice Case Study
Write a 600-word essay on one EJ case, including root causes, disparities, and responses. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 7: Risk Assessment and Management
(No separate main discussion this week due to midterm focus – optional open forum for risk assessment questions.)
Midterm Project (150 pts) – Local Environmental Health Risk Assessment
Conduct a focused risk assessment on one environmental issue in a specific local setting. Submit a 5–7 page report covering the four steps of risk assessment, vulnerable populations, and preliminary management recommendations. Include at least 5 scholarly sources and a reflection on local-to-global links. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 8: Global Environmental Health Challenges
Main Discussion Prompt:
Compare one environmental health issue (e.g., air pollution or plastic waste) in a high-income country versus a low- or middle-income country. Highlight differences in burden, governance, and solutions. What role should international cooperation play? Initial post: 600–700 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to three peers with one policy or intervention idea that could bridge the two contexts. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 8 (35 pts) – Global Issue Comparison
Expand your discussion into a 600–700 word formal comparison paper. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 9: Food Systems and Agriculture
Main Discussion Prompt:
Evaluate one aspect of the global food system (e.g., pesticide use, industrial livestock, or food waste). Discuss health/environmental trade-offs and propose one public health intervention with local and global applicability. Initial post: 500–600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Respond to three peers by evaluating the feasibility of their proposed intervention across scales. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 9 (35 pts) – Sustainable Food Systems Analysis
Submit a 600-word analysis with your proposed intervention and supporting evidence. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 10: Environmental Policy and Regulation
Main Discussion Prompt:
Critique one U.S. or international environmental health policy (e.g., Clean Air Act or Paris Agreement). Discuss strengths, weaknesses, enforcement challenges, and equity implications. Initial post: 700 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to three classmates suggesting one improvement or advocacy approach. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 10 (35 pts) – Policy Critique
Write a 700-word formal critique based on your discussion. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 11: Prevention Strategies and Interventions
Main Discussion Prompt:
Using the issue from your Midterm, design one prevention strategy (primary, secondary, or tertiary). Include a simple logic model and discuss evaluation challenges at local vs. global levels. Initial post: 600 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Provide feedback on feasibility and equity to three peers. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 11 (35 pts) – Intervention Design
Submit a 600-word strategy description with logic model/flowchart. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 12: Emerging Issues – One Health and Planetary Health
Main Discussion Prompt:
Select one emerging issue (e.g., antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, or biodiversity loss). Analyze its local-to-global connections using a systems or One Health approach. What is the public health role? Initial post: 500 words. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Reply to three peers with one interdisciplinary connection or action step. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Assignment 12 (30 pts) – Emerging Threats Reflection
Expand into a 500-word reflection post. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 13: Advocacy, Communication, and Leadership
Main Discussion Prompt:
Draft key messages for a risk communication or advocacy piece on your chosen issue. Discuss how to tailor messages for different audiences (local community vs. policymakers). Initial post: 500 words + sample message. Due: Wednesday 11:59 pm. Response Prompts:
Offer constructive feedback on clarity and cultural sensitivity to three peers. Responses: 150–200 words each. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm. Assignment 13 (30 pts) – Advocacy Statement
Submit a 1-page policy brief or op-ed style piece. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.
Week 14: Final Project Workshop & Peer Review
Main Discussion Prompt / Assignment 14 (30 pts) – Peer Review
Post a draft section or overview of your Final Project. Provide structured feedback (using the rubric) to two classmates on strengths, gaps, and local-to-global integration. Submit your reviews + a brief revision plan for your own project. Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.Week 15: Synthesis and Final Project
(No separate discussion – focus on final synthesis in the project.)
Final Project (200 pts) – Local-to-Global Environmental Health Solution Plan
Develop a 10–12 page comprehensive plan for one environmental health issue. Include problem statement, evidence review, equity analysis, multi-level intervention strategy, policy recommendations, and evaluation framework. Record and submit an 8–10 minute presentation demonstrating your plan. Due: Finals week.
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