A discussion of current developments and issues in public health of interest to faculty and students of the department as a whole. Content varies from semester to semester depending upon current issues and interests.

This course will explore the connections between poverty and health across the lifecourse, with a focus on understanding what effects living with poverty has on individuals, families and communities. We will also explore evidence based approaches to alleviating poverty, and evaluate best practices in programs and policies. Poverty is a pervasive and persistent determinant of poor health. While the poverty rate in the U.S. overall is 10.5%, 18% of families with children live in poverty. This rate is higher among Black (29%) and Latinx families (25%), and conditions worsened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In California, a state with a higher than average cost of living and where 1 in 8 Americans lives, almost 1 in 4 residents live in or near poverty. The state’s diverse population also faces challenges related to low enrollment in safety net programs, particularly among the most vulnerable families. Low socioeconomic status and financial insecurity have been associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Poverty can also increase high-risk health behaviors as coping mechanisms or due to reduced “cognitive bandwidth” from chronic stress and competing demands that can impede decision-making.

Please enroll for a letter grade.

Repeat Rules