Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health, through the organised effort of society. The role of public health is to contribute to 'the health of the public through: assessment of health and health needs; policy formulation, and the assurance of the availability of services' Pencheon et al (2006).

Public Health is an essentially multi-disciplinary subject of concern to health and social care professionals, town planners and architects, businesses, and politicians. Public health policy affects our families, whole communities, our countries and the planet. Professional public health services include improving our environment, disease control, communicable disease management, health protection and developing individual and social well-being through health promotion. The knowledge base is very broad from history to healthy living, from sanitation to sociology, environmental science to epidemiology and sexual health to managing health.

The Faculty of Health & Social Care at Anglia Ruskin University undertakes research and professional training in public health at postgraduate level (MSc Public Health, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Public Health, and stand alone modules), two undergraduate awards (BSc Hons Public Health; BSc Hons Child & Family Public Health) and a workbased Foundation Degree (FdSc Public Health). Programmes are available on a part-time as well as full-time basis. The programmes are intended for people in all sectors: health, local government, voluntary organisations and the wider community, who wish to work in UK based European and International Public Health and want to develop their skills and knowledge for effective social planning and public health practice and tackling inequalities in health.

Module contents draw upon both British and international policy and research. Our close proximity to London allows us to use this metropolis as an exemplar for international comparisons and for the purposes of field trips. Teaching involves tutorials, film, online teaching as well as classroom presentations. MSc and BSc qualifications do not involve practice elements but a campus based practicum approach is used to develop practice skills. We have extensive specialist library support in terms of books, electronic materials and journals in public health related areas.

Public Health courses

• MSc Public Health
• PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting/School Nursing)
• BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting/School Nursing)
• BSc Hons Public Health
• FdSc Public Health

Teaching Team

Professor Woody Caan has extensive experience in research related to addiction and mental health promotion. Dr Andy Stevens pathway leader for the MSc has research experience in community care and patterns of smoking. Both are Fellows of Royal Society of Public Health. Prof. Mala Rao, formerly NHS Head of Public Health Workforce and Capacity, is now Director of the Indian Institute of Public Health in Hyderabad. Prof. Richard Parish, the first Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Public Health, has held senior positions in academic and public health practice at national, regional and local levels. He is a consultant to the World Health Organisation and other international agencies. has wide ranging achievements in research. Both are visiting Professors and contribute to teaching and research.

Julie Matthews is completing her PhD in Health Service management and is the leader of the BSc. Sam Assan is undertaking doctoral research in AIDS awareness and is the leader of the FdSc in Public Health. Yvonne Crome and Mary Northrop who are module leaders are also undertaking doctoral research. The teaching and research team also has close links with national public health bodies (UK Public Health Association, Royal Society of Public Health and international organisations and through Anglia Ruskin University Postgraduate Medical Institute with regional medical research partners.

Partners