09304 - Applied Hygiene

Course contents

The course covers the main topics of hygiene, applied epidemiology, and public health, addressing both the “biosanitary” and “nutritional” curricula, now integrated into a single teaching program. Lessons are organized into thematic modules and include the following topics:

1) Operational Public Health and Epidemiological Methods

• Functions of public health
• Basic concepts of hygiene
• Epidemiology: incidence, prevalence, mortality, risk
• Risk analysis: hazard identification, risk assessment, management, and communicatio

2) Health Determinants and Inequalities

• Biological, social, and environmental determinants
• Life-course approach, poverty, vulnerability, global health
• The One Health concept and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

3) Biological Risks and Infectious Diseases

• Classification of biological agents
• Transmission, prevention, and vaccination
• Focus on food handlers and the food production chain

4) Environmental and Food Toxicology

• Dose-response relationship
• Additives, mycotoxins, pesticides
• Environmental pollutants and endocrine disruptors

5) Prevention of Foodborne Biological Risks and Food Safety

• Chemical, physical, and biological hazards in food
• HACCP systems and relevant regulations
• Water as a food item

6) Exposome, Epigenetics, and Nutrition

• Cumulative exposure and diet–environment interactions
• Nutritional epigenetics
• Risk–benefit assessment in nutrition

7) Climate Change, Planetary Health, and Human Health

• Anthropization, extreme weather events, disease vectors
• Impacts on health and food systems
• Integrated One Health approach

8) Integrated Prevention: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary

• Public health interventions and health promotion strategies
• Screening programs, health education, chronic disease management

 

Readings/Bibliography

Paolo Bonanni, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Gavino Maciocco - Manuale di igiene e sanità pubblica Carocci Editore Maggio 2021

Walter Ricciardi, Stefania Boccia - Igiene - Medicina preventiva - Sanità pubblica, Idelsongnocchi editore Edizione III 2021

Teaching materials provided by the instructor (slides, scientific papers, institutional guidelines)

Institutional resources and websites: ISS, ECDC, WHO, EFSA, Italian Ministry of Health

Teaching methods

Lectures with multimedia presentations, integrated with guided discussions, case studies, and real-world examples. The contents are presented in an integrated format, covering both curricular paths, with targeted examples highlighting the specificities of the biosanitary and nutritional profiles.

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists of a structured written exam, including multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions. The exam aims to verify the student's understanding of the theoretical concepts of public health, epidemiology, and prevention, as well as their ability to apply this knowledge in contexts relevant to their chosen curriculum (biosanitary or nutritional). The exam is the same for all students and is evaluated objectively.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, teaching materials provided via the Virtuale platform, scientific documents, videos, and infographics. Multimedia tools and interactive resources (e.g., Mentimeter) will be used where possible to enhance student engagement.

Office hours

See the website of Annamaria Colacci