Fall Institute Courses

300.856.98 Workshop: Art and Public Health
October 9, 2023
Campus Location: Ciutadella Campus of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra
8:30 am -6:00 pm
Workshop Leaders: Rosa Puigpinos and Susan Magsamen

Neuroaesthetics is the scientific study of how the brain and body are measurably changed on arts and aesthetic experiences and how this knowledge is being used to address issues in physical and mental health, learning, flourishing, and community development. This arts and public health interactive workshop is designed to provide learners with foundational underpinnings and theories of the field of neuroaesthetics including the neurobiology and evolutionary basis of the arts. Secondarily, this workshop will take a deeper dive into the research through interactive case studies in public health from around the world.

Elements of the foundation information will include a history of neuroaesthetics, the basic neurobiology of the senses, neuroanatomy and mechanisms of brain structure involved in the arts and aesthetics.  The applied portion of the workshop will include a series of case studies in rural and urban settings around the world that address issues such as learning, mental health, physical health, loneliness and belonging, street and gun violence the justice system and more through the lens of neuroaesthetics. The workshop will also include hands-on experiences to demonstrate concepts.

300.853.98 Workshop: Critical Epidemiology: New Perspectives on Urban Health
October 19 -20, 2023
Campus Location: Ciutadella Campus of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra
9:00 am -6:00 pm each day
Workshop Leaders: Gabriel Jaime Otalvaro and Laura Oliveras    

 This 2-day workshop introduces participants to critical epidemiology from the Latin American perspective. Empirical-analytic epidemiology builds its interpretive framework around categories like "place" and constructs layers of empirical association through modern GIS software. Critical epidemiology in Latin America questions this approach and articulates an innovative view of spatial health analysis that intertwines the contributions of philosophy, political economy, and social geography to rethink the social determination of urban-rural relationships and health. The dramatic loss of urban sustainability and the unhealthy relationship between industrialized conurbations and agro-industrial rural areas imply a loss of space for the healthy and sustainable reproduction of people and ecosystems. This workshop offers new ways of analyzing and understanding urban health through this critical, interdisciplinary approach to epidemiology.

Master's students of the UPF are permitted to take Workshop: Critical Epidemiology: New Perspectives on Urban Health (300.853.98) for 1 academic credit upon completion of the student assessment.

Note: This workshop will be offered in Spanish only; no English translation will be available.

550.608.98 Problem Solving in Public Health (4 credits)
November 6-10, 2023
Campus Location: UPF Barcelona School of Management
2:00 pm -6:00 pm November 6;
8:30 am -5:00 pm November 7-10
Instructors: Cyrus Engineer and Brian Wahl
Enrollment Maximum: 50

This course serves as an integrated introduction to the field of public health, offering definitions of health and public health, a comparison of the fields of public health and medicine, and an introduction to a broad array of current public health issues. The main focus of the course is to help students develop an effective, coherent approach to solving public health problems. Public health work is rarely conducted in isolation: Students will work in teams to develop their skills in the use of a public health framework for addressing public health challenges—and opportunities.

The Problem Solving framework used in the course contains a series of sequential steps: defining the problem; measuring its magnitude; understanding the key determinants; identifying and developing intervention and prevention strategies; setting priorities and recommending policies; implementing intervention strategies; and evaluating the interventions. Effective communication strategies are critical at all stages of the Problem-Solving framework, and the human rights impact of each step is actively considered.

All participants enrolled in this course are expected to complete required readings prior to the start of the course. Participants will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on class participation, small group work and group presentation.  Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated based on a final paper due no later than December 22, 2023.

308.842.98 Emerging Dimensions of Social Determinants of Health Inequalities: A Transdisciplinary Integrated Approach (3 credits)
November 8 -10, 2023
Campus Location: UPF Barcelona School of Management
8:30 am -6:00 pm each day
Instructor: Joan Benach

Although there is abundant literature on the analysis of SDHI, most research approaches are based on limited risk factor analyses and other reductionistic linear behavioral and biological perspectives. The advance of ‘complexity science’ and ‘systems thinking’ across a broad range of practices and tools (e.g., system dynamics, network analysis, and agent-based modeling) allows one to consider the causes and solutions for complex challenges such as obesity and addiction, which follow complex systems characteristics such as nonlinearity, feedback loops, or chaotic behavior.

This course introduces a novel transdisciplinary approach on Social Determinants of Health Inequities (SDHI) and provides an in-depth understanding of macro, meso and micro levels, all of which generate health inequities. Students examine the changes, causes, and potential policies to address systemic public health and equity-related subjects and the complex interactions between biology, behaviors, society, and politics. A broad range of disciplines, ‘systems thinking’ practices, and methodological pluralism are integrated to review research advances, including explanatory case studies and the evaluation of policies and interventions to reduce health inequities.

All participants enrolled in this course must complete the required readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on the pre-course assignment, class participation and in-course exercises.  Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by a group presentation and final paper, due no later than December 22, 2023.

330.688.98 Public Health and the Good Life (3 credits)
November 13-15, 2023
Campus Location: UPF Barcelona School of Management
8:30 am -6:00 pm each day
Instructor(s): Luther Kalb and Monica Cortes

The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." But what is wellness, well-being, thriving, flourishing or happiness? What are the bio-psycho-social factors that lead to well-being? What are the practices that can be applied, in day-to-day life, to improve well-being?

This course draws on a large and rich body of interdisciplinary research from behavioral economics, epidemiology, and (cognitive, social, and positive) psychology. It will examine the historical roots and contemporary theory surrounding the theory, measurement, and epidemiology of well-being. The cognitive mechanisms and behavioral practices that influence well-being, including debunking many commonly held misconceptions about "happiness" and how to achieve it will be emphasized. 

All participants enrolled in this course are encouraged to complete the recommended readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on class participation and presentation. Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by an open book final exam 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) after the class session.  

308.604.98 Effective Writing for Public Health Change (3 credits)
November 13-15, 2023
Campus Location: UPF Barcelona School of Management
8:30 am -6:00 pm each day
Instructor: Lymari Morales
Enrollment Maximum: 25

Public health researchers and practitioners have life-saving knowledge to share but are often not trained on how best to share that knowledge so that it is easily understood and put to use at scale. Public health leaders and advocates learn how to translate their knowledge for individuals at all levels of health literacy, to achieve greater understanding and adoption of public health knowledge and solutions. Students leave this course able to distill what they know into a variety of communications that audiences can understand and act on in the pursuit of public health policy goals.

Sharpens writing skills for clear, effective public health communication. Introduces the key elements of successful writing, and how to successfully apply those fundamentals to different communication formats and goals, both traditional and modern. Practices writing and organization skills through writing assignments focused on practical real-world examples students will face in their careers, including one-pagers, policy memos, and data summaries, including learning to edit, improve, and pressure test the work of others. Presents professional standards for accuracy, readability, structure, and style that help communicate more effectively and persuasively in the pursuit of public health goals.

All participants enrolled in this course must complete the required readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on the pre-course assignment, class participation and in-course assignments. Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by a final paper, due no later than December 22, 2023.

308.701.98 Media Interviews and Applied Public Health Communications (3 credits)
November 16-18, 2023
Campus Location: Ciutadella Campus of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra
8:30 am – 6:00 pm each day 
Instructor: Meghan McGinty
Enrollment Maximum: 18

Public health professionals are often tasked with communicating with the news media and giving presentations to many stakeholders. This may be during an emergency, or to explain research and advocate for policies. Whether you are giving a presentation to a small group of colleagues or appearing on CNN, skills for effectively presenting information will inevitably come in handy during your career. This course offers practical exercises to help you be more confident, poised and prepared for public speaking. In this course, you will learn from real-life examples—both good and bad—and develop your own presentation skills during exercises.

Enhances skills to construct and deliver oral presentations with clarity and impact. Provides techniques and guidelines to increase your effectiveness in translating public health information to various audiences and communicating through the news media during crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include basics of effective presentations, non-verbal communications, case studies, giving an interview, preparing talking points, advocacy, and the news media, and communicating in a public health emergency. Students review videotapes of news coverage and participate as spokespersons in on-camera simulation exercises.

All participants enrolled in this course must complete the required readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on the pre-course assignment, class participation and in-course exercises. Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by a case study analysis due no later than December 22, 2023.

Note: the last day of this course will be held on Saturday, November 18

317.864.98 Advanced Topics in Climate Change Policy (2 credits)
November 20-21, 2023
Campus Location: UPF Barcelona School of Management
8:30 am -6:00 pm each day
Instructor: Mary Sheehan

This course focuses on advanced issues at the forefront of climate change and public health policy and practice and takes a complex system view that traverses the boundaries between sectors, spans government levels, and integrates perspectives across public and private actors.  This year’s topics are divided into two sections:      

Day 1. Emerging climate hazards and health impacts:

• Acute extreme events of growing importance:  Wildfires & smoke waves, flash flooding (and others)
• The complexity of slow-onset drought:  "The new pandemic"

Day 2. Climate and health policy & practice opportunities:

• The new UN "Early Warning for All" program and the role of health
• Climate hazard, risk and vulnerability mapping in urban informal settlements.

All participants enrolled in this course must complete the required readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on class participation and a paper outline. Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by a final paper due no later than December 22, 2023.

410.683.98 Global Perspectives on LGBT Health (3 credits) 
November 28-30, 2023  
Campus Location: Ciutadella Campus of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra 
8:30 am -6:00 pm each day 
Instructors: Jennifer Glick, S. Wilson Cole , and Carles Pericas

This course provides knowledge and skills to understand multi-level factors that influence health and well-being among LGBTQ populations globally. Students develop an appreciation for various forms of sexual and gender identities, including how culture shapes such identities, and the roles of minority stress, stigma, and discrimination in health disparities. Discussion topics include a strengths-based approach to understand how global LGBTQ communities are coping and often thriving through resilience, social support, community action, and positive policy environments. Applies learning into the context of public health research and practice. Features expert guest speakers with firsthand and/or lived experience working in the field of global LGBTQ health and human rights as well as didactic presentations from the instructors and student-facilitated group discussions. 

All participants enrolled in this course must complete the required readings before the course starts. Participants enrolled in this course will be evaluated for receipt of the certificate of participation based on class participation. Participants taking this course for Johns Hopkins or UPF academic credit will be further evaluated by a final assignment due no later than December 22, 2023. 

Pending BSPH academic credit approval. 

300.852.98 Workshop: Official Control of Listeria Monocytogenes in Food Establishments
January 26, 2024     
Campus Location: Ciutadella Campus of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra
8:30 am – 6:00 pm      
Workshop Leaders: Montserrat Vila and Sara Bover Cid

This 1-day workshop will discuss the prevention and control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food products. Speakers from the academic/research sector and Competent Authorities in food control will share their knowledge and experiences with participants. The workshop will be based on practical activities rather than presentations, and active participation is required from participants. The exercises developed in this workshop will be related to environmental sampling, historical data, and durability studies, which are the types of studies and information that food operators present to the Official Control to guarantee the safety of ready-to-eat food throughout its shelf life in relation with Listeria monocytogenes.