There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Public health seeks to identify risks to health and to find ways to minimize them. This module encourages you to explore the protection and promotion of the health of individual women/persons, babies and their families. You will evaluate different approaches to promoting the health of women/persons, families and society, and consider how these might best be applied to address the needs of specific populations and current public health concerns. The role of the midwife as a lead professional and member of the multi-professional team will be explored. This also involves collaborating with voluntary agencies and community support groups.Health inequalities and socioeconomic inequalities will be considered across different populations. You will use key epidemiological data to examine public health areas of concern. Government policies and strategies relevant to population health and health improvement will also be examined. This module will explore the key role of the midwife and multidisciplinary team including voluntary agencies in supporting vulnerable women and their families across the lifespan (family nurse partnership, substance misuse midwife, domestic abuse,sex trafficking ,safeguarding and maternal trauma).Public health issues such as maternal mental health, sexual health, violence against women and girls, obesity, smoking cessation, infant feeding, epigenetics, antenatal and newborn screening, substance misuse and alcohol will be addressed. Strategies used to promote change and the role of the midwife in supporting behaviour change and promotion of healthy lifestyles will be explored.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Debate the factors that influence health and ill health within the wider social context.

LO2: Critically engage with the need to focus on the promotion of public health and well-being of women/birthing persons and their families across the lifespan.

LO3: Appraise research evidence and epidemiological data in relation to public health strategies, health promotion and safeguarding and use them to inform midwifery practice.

LO4: Examine the impact of inequalities in maternity care and discuss how they can be addressed to underpin the provision of a flexible responsive maternity service which is equally accessible to all.

LO5: Evaluate the roles of other health professionals, agencies and communities to share knowledge of the needs of women/birthing persons and their families when considering the impact of social determinants of health on public health and well-being.