Program Overview

Introduction to Health Promotion

The Open University course "Introduction to Health Promotion" is a 3 ECTS credit course that runs from September 9, 2025, to October 14, 2025. The course is taught in English and takes place in Kuopio.

Course Description

Health promotion is a multidimensional approach to achieving good health. It means any or all activities that improve the health of individuals, communities, and populations. It is both practice and health policy. Many definitions of health promotion emphasize the effectuation of changes and creating possibilities. During the course, we cover health promotion approaches, projects, initiatives, and ethics in health promotion. Moreover, we discuss some health promotion models, as well as current and future challenges that require a crucial role of health promotion.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of health promotion
• Describe health promotion in modern society
• Interrelate theoretical basis and practice in health promotion
• Apply the theoretical basis of health promotion in your studies and working life
• Understand the current and future health issues from the health promotion perspective

Study Methods

The course includes lectures, seminars, and independent work. The lectures will be held on the following dates:

• September 9, 2025, 10:00 - 14:00, Kuopio, CA102
• September 9, 2025, 14:00 - 16:00, Kuopio, CA102
• September 16, 2025, 10:00 - 16:00, Kuopio, CA500
• September 23, 2025, 10:00 - 10:00, Online
• September 30, 2025, 10:00 - 10:00, Online
• October 7, 2025, 10:00 - 10:00, Kuopio, CA100

Study Materials

The required study materials include:

• Davies, M. & Macdowall, W. (eds) 2006. Understanding Public Health: Health Promotion Theory. Open University Press. England.
• Macdowall, W. & Davies, M. (eds.) 2006 Understanding Public Health: Health Promotion Practice. Open University Press. England.
• Nutbeam, D. & Harris, E. 2004. Theory in a nutshell. A practical guide to the health promotion theories. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Australia.

Evaluation

The course assessment will be based on:

• Class participation (10%)
• Individual written assignments (50%)
• Homework (40%) The minimum attendance rate is 80%. If the study performance is insufficient, the student will be allowed one opportunity to improve it. Students will successfully pass the course when they satisfy at least 60% of the course requirements.

Prerequisites

The course "Foundations of Public Health" is a beneficial prerequisite for this course.

Teacher

The course teacher is Javkhlanbayar Dorjdagva.

Additional Information

The price for the course is 60 (VAT 0%). The length of a study right is determined by the length of the study unit, so that it covers all teaching and exams. If the study unit has continuous registration, the study right is from August 1 to July 30. Literature acquisition costs and borrowing fees are not included in the tuition fee.

Admission Criteria

The maximum number of students from the Open University is 15. Registration starts on August 4, 2025, and ends on September 2, 2025.