ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title PUBH6000: Social, Behavioural and Cultural Factors in Public Health
Assessment
Assessment 1: Report - Social Determinants of Health
Individual/Group
Individual
Length
1,500 words
Learning Outcomes
This assessment addresses the following learning outcomes:
1. Analyse the impact of social, environmental and behavioural factors on the health of different populations
2. Analyse population health outcomes and the major social, economic, political and cultural forces that contribute to health inequalities
Submission
Due Sunday Week 4 (end of Module 2) at 11:55pm AEST/AEDT*
Weighting
35%
Total Marks
100 marks
*Please Note: This time is Sydney time (AEST or AEDT). Please convert to your own time zone (eg. Adelaide = 11:25pm).
Task description:
Background
Tobacco consumption in any form, lack of physical activity, a diet high in fats and sugars, hypertension, obesity and diabetes are well-known behavioural risk factors for heart disease.
Populations with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have increased behavioural risk factors for heart disease, including smoking and lack of physical activity (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). Although behavioural risk factors might be evident causes of diseases, public health professionals also consider social and environmental factors that contribute to the social gradient of health.
Instructions
Choose a population group in Australia (e.g. men/women, low socioeconomic status, rural/remote, people with disabilities/mental illness). In 1500 words, address the following:
• Describe the burden of heart disease within your chosen population. Please describe burden of disease in terms of any two of following: incidence, prevalence, mortality, morbidity, survival or quality of life.
• Discuss how the social determinants of health can explain the burden of heart disease within your chosen population.
• Propose a public health intervention to prevent heart disease in your chosen population that addresses at least one social determinant of health (e.g. working conditions/ unemployment, social support, transport, housing conditions, education, access to healthcare).
• Explain what other sector/s could be involved aside from the health sector (e.g education, local government, transport, housing) in your public health intervention.
Please note that you need to cite at least 10-12 scholarly sources of literature in your assessment. Scholarly sources of literature include peer reviewed journal articles, edited conference paper collections and book chapters. Ensure your report is written in a clear manner, including spelling, grammar, structure, tone, and accurate referencing in accordance with the latest APA guidelines (APA 6th).
Assessment Criteria:
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health (30%)
• Shows ability to interpret and analyse relevant information and literature on the social determinants of health (30%)
• Demonstrates ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health to an intervention to address an existing public health problem (30%)
• General Assessment Criteria (10%) o Provides a lucid introduction
o Shows a sophisticated understanding of the key issues o Demonstrates a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts o Shows evidence of reading beyond the required readings
o Justifies any conclusions reached with well-formed arguments and not merely assertions
o Provides a conclusion or summary o Correctly uses academic writing, presentation and grammar:
? Complies with academic standards of legibility, in text citations and bibliographical details
? Writes clearly, with accurate spelling and grammar as well as proper sentence and paragraph construction
? Uses appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research
Marking Rubric:
Assessment
Attributes
0-34
(Fail 2 – F2)
Unacceptable
35-49
(Fail 1 – F1)
Poor
50-64 (Pass -P)
Functional
65-74
(Credit - CR)
Proficient
75-84
(Distinction – DN)
Advanced 85-100
(High Distinction –
HD)
Exceptional
Grade Description (Grading Scheme) Evidence of unsatisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning objectives of the subject, insufficient understanding of the subject content and/or unsatisfactory level of skill development. Evidence of satisfactory achievement of subject learning objectives, the
development of
relevant skills to a competent level, and adequate interpretation and critical analysis skills. Evidence of a good level of understanding, knowledge and skill development in relation to the content of the subject or work of a superior quality on the majority of the learning objectives of the subject. Demonstration
of a high level of interpretation and critical analysis skills. Evidence of a high level of achievement of the learning objectives of the subject demonstrated in such areas as interpretation and
critical analysis, logical argument, use of methodology and communication skills. Evidence of an exceptional level of achievement of learning objectives across the entire content of the subject demonstrated in such areas as interpretation and critical analysis, logical argument,
creativity, originality, use of methodology and communication skills.
Knowledge and
understanding
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health. (30%)
Limited understanding of required concepts and
knowledge
Key components of the assignment are not addressed. Knowledge/understand ing of the field or discipline.
Resembles a recall or summary of key ideas.
Often conflates/confuses assertion of personal opinion with Thorough knowledge/understand ing of the field or discipline/s. Information is substantiated by evidence from the research/subject materials.
Demonstrates a Highly developed understanding of the field or discipline/s.
Information is substantiated by robust evidence from the research/subject materials and A sophisticated understanding of the field or discipline/s.
Information is substantiated by robust evidence from the research/subject materials and extended reading.
The relative strength of different forms of evidence is considered.

information substantiated by evidence from the research/subject materials. capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts. extended reading.
Well demonstrated capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts.
Mastery of concepts
and application to new
situations/further learning.
Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge
Shows the ability to interpret and analyse relevant information and Limited synthesis and analysis.
Limited
application/recommendations Demonstrated analysis and synthesis of new knowledge with application.
Shows some ability to interpret relevant Well-developed analysis and synthesis. This analysis is clearly linked to a relevant public health intervention.
Thoroughly developed and creative analysis which is well linked to to a relevant public health intervention. Highly sophisticated and creative analysis, synthesis of new with existing knowledge.
Analysis is expertly linked to a creative and well justified public health intervention.
literature on the social determinants of health
(30%)
Demonstrates ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health to an intervention to address an existing public health problem
(30%) based upon analysis. information and literature to create a public health intervention, although this needs further development. The intervention is well justified.
General Assessment criteria
Including use of academic and
discipline conventions and sources of evidence (10%)
Poorly written with errors in spelling, grammar.
Demonstrates inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop ideas.
There are mistakes in using the APA style. Is written according to academic genre (e.g. with introduction, conclusion or summary) and has
accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
Demonstrates consistent use of credible and relevant research sources to support and develop ideas, but these are not always explicit or well developed.
There are no mistakes in using the APA style. Is well-written and adheres to the academic genre (e.g. with introduction, conclusion or summary).
Demonstrates consistent use of high quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop ideas.
There are no mistakes in using the APA style. Is very well-written and adheres to the academic genre.
Consistently demonstrates expert use of good quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop appropriate arguments and statements. Shows evidence of reading beyond the key reading
There are no mistakes in using the APA style. Expertly written and adheres to the academic genre.
Demonstrates expert use of high-quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop arguments and position statements. Shows extensive evidence of reading beyond the key reading
There are no mistakes in using the APA Style.