09304 - Applied Hygiene

Learning outcomes

Describe the role of environmental agents in the onset and progression of communicable and not communicable diseases

Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.

Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.

Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.

Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.

Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.

Calculate basic epidemiology measures.

Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.

Course contents

Basic concepts on the role of prevention in public health strategies

Environment and human health

Factors and events describing the health outcomes: epidemiological determinants and descriptors

Factors and events describing the pathway to adverse outcomes. Causality and biological plausibility

Factors modifying the response to exposures: vulnerability of fragile populations

Biological agents and human health. Communicable diseases. Public health interventions. Prevention and prophylaxis

Chemical agents and human health. The concept of pollutome and its role in not communicable diseases aka chronic-degenerative diseases. The role of chemical agents in environmental and occupational exposures

Maternal exposures and life trajectory

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials (slides, video, recorded lessons) will be available

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra lesson. On-line lessons. Seminars

Assessment methods

Written test

Teaching tools

Slides. Videos. Case studies

Office hours

See the website of Annamaria Colacci