This course introduces students to the principles of community health practices. The course will also equip students with knowledge about the state of optimal wellness in which medical care, economic prosperity, and social responsibilities all come together. The students will develop skills to identify health risks, social and economic situations, and other factors in communities where they live. This course will help students to improve the health of a community as a whole through public health initiatives to prevent the spread of disease, improve the health of local residents, and prepare for emergencies. The course will also provide comprehensive understanding of community health programs and the guiding principles to lay out successful plans for communities regarding preventative healthcare.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify common elements of community health programs (CHPs).
2. Explain types of CHPs and pitfalls associated with each type. 
3. Apply knowledge and skills to implement community health programs.
4. Identify methods and materials required for community health programs.
5. Describe evidence-based practices to promote community health programs.
6. Measure and evaluate community health programs.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Community Health Programs

Week 2: Unit 2 – Types and Challenges to Community Health Programs

Week 3: Unit 3 – The Role of Community Health Worker in Community Health Programs

Week 4: Unit 4 – Developing a Community Health Program

Week 5: Unit 5 – Identifying Methods and Material used in Community Health Programs (CHPs)

Week 6: Unit 6 – Evidence Based Practices to Promote Community Health Programs

Week 7: Unit 7 – Evaluating a Community Health Program

Week 8: Unit 8 – Measuring Community Health Programs

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Community Health Programs

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written AssignmentComplete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Types and Challenges to Community Health Programs

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written AssignmentComplete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: The Role of Community Health Worker in Community Health Programs

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journalTake and submit the Self-Quiz
• Take and submit the Graded-Quiz

Unit 4: Developing a Community Health Program

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Identifying Methods and Material Used in Community Health Programs (CHPs)

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
  • Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
  • Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal
  • Complete and submit the Written Assignment
  • Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Evidence Based Practices to Promote Community Health Programs

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Take and submit the Self Quiz
• Take and submit the Graded Quiz

 Unit 7: Evaluating a Community Health Program

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Measuring Community Health Programs

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take and submit the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor