VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

376-1122-00L 2 Credits BSC D-HEST , D-BIOL
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Introduction to Public Health - Selected Topics and Specific Risks

Einführung in Public Health - ausgewählte Themen, besondere Risiken

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Oliver Hämmig
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:09

Abstract

In addition to particularly relevant public health topics and major social health risks, the course teaches the thinking and approach of the multidiscipline of public health. Its focus is not only on disease but also on health and more on prevention instead of cure as well as on social groups and their living conditions instead of individuals and individual risk factors.

Objective

The students learn about important and particularly health-relevant public health topics, phenomena and problems and how to deal with corresponding, public health related questions and problems.

Content

From a public health perspective, there are a number of social circumstances that have a high potential for disease and even increased risk of mortality for the affected populations. These major social health risks include the following: -unemployment and social decline -poverty and social deprivation -loneliness and social isolation -migration and social discrimination -Over-indebtedness and social marginalization -risky behavior and unhealthy social lifestyles Such living conditions and behaviors have been shown to cause increased health risks, but do not necessarily mean that all those affected have comparatively poor health or low life expectancy. Potentially affected individuals, however, do fundamentally represent health risk groups, which include the following groups of people: - (long-term) unemployed, disenrolled, welfare recipients, etc. - those at risk of and affected by poverty, including homeless, low-income, working poor, single parents, etc. - Lonely or solitary people and the socially disintegrated - Refugees, immigrants, foreigners, secondos, etc. - heavily indebted, insolvent people, people affected by wage garnishment, private bankruptcy, etc. - addicts (incl. drug, alcohol, gambling and work addicts), underweight or overweight and obese, sedentary and physically inactive people, etc.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
Die Leistungskontrolle erfolgt in Form von Gruppenarbeiten und -referat.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Einführung in Public Health - ausgewählte Themen, besondere Risiken
  • Mon 13:45-15:30 (HPT C 103)
2 h weekly

Offered In