ACOM115-Introduction to Science for Health

Assignment 1

Group Presentation Each student will be assigned to a group of 3 – 4 students. The group will choose a topic from the list below. The group must research the topic and present information to the class using appropriate visual material. A minimum of 3 academic articles should be used in the research. The group must make a series of three appointments with their lecturer to discuss the topic and shared responsibilities.

Each student must complete the team journal bring it to the group meetings with their lecturer, and submit the journal on the day of the presentation.

Students will be assessed both as a group and individually.

Group Presentation Topics

1. Although the promotion of hygiene might be the single most cost effective way of reducing the global burden of infectious disease, hygiene is still very much overlooked in public health. Discuss the possible causes and effects of this situation.

2. Australia's rural areas continue to experience digital disadvantage. Discuss some of the reasons for this and the likely impacts on rural communities.

3. In Australia, women are more likely than men to use services for mental health problems. Discuss some of the possible reasons for this imbalance in access to services, and some of the possible effects.

Assignment 2

Essay Students are required to write a cause and effect discussion essay. You will be able to state your preferences regarding the essay topics listed on pages 8-9, and allocated a topic in Week 2 based on your preferences. You should use a minimum of 5 academic articles in your research.

Essay Topics

The poorest groups in societies suffer higher infant and under-5 mortality rates than any other group. What are the possible causes of child mortality within these socio-economic groups, and some possible social and/or economic consequences?

2. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is still being transmitted to human beings in at least 122 countries, where more than 200,000 infections in children are being discovered every year (WHO, 2015). Discuss the cause of leprosy, including the transmission pathways, and the effects of this disease on patients.

3. The presence of microplastics in the environment and in the human body has led to concerns about adverse health effects. Discuss the reasons why these microplastics are commonly found in the environment and human body, and some of the possible impacts on human health.