Overview
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease are the leading causes of death and disability in Australia. From a public health perspective, the prevention of chronic disease is of fundamental importance and is a core skill set for any public health professional. This unit provides an introduction to public health and chronic disease. It will examine biological determinants, the influence of social factors on incidence and prevalence, and behavioural and environmental factors found to be conducive to the development and growth of chronic disease in Australia. Students will also explore individual and population level interventions aimed at reducing chronic disease.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback via SUTE
Adjust timing of Assessment 1 due date to ensure students receive feedback before submitting their final assignment
Bring forward the due date for Assessment 1 to ensure students receive feedback prior to submitting their final assignment.
Feedback from Unit coordinator reflection
Maintain high-quality feedback processes
Continue refining guidance for casual markers to ensure consistency and depth of assessment feedback, building on the improvements observed in 2025.