This paper develops your understanding of the social, cultural, economic, political and environmental factors that shape how health is thought about and practiced. Moving beyond a consideration of health as the 'absence of disease', the paper encourages you to think about health holistically. It provides a broad overview of key policies, frameworks and models of health and the conceptual tools necessary to assess their use in relation to different communities, populations, and individuals. Contemporary health issues linked to Te Ao Māori, the outdoors, obesity, disability and mental health will be explored. This is a foundation paper that begins to assist you in developing the skills and knowledge needed to enhance the health of people in communities.

Moodle online is used to support your learning in this paper. You should check Moodle on a regular basis! General questions can be asked through the Moodle site and there is also a place to discuss any personal confidential matters related to your participation e.g. absence from class with lecturers.

Some lecture notes/panoptos of the lecture will be available on Moodle however it is highly recommended that you fully attend lectures.

Assessments one and two will be submitted online through Moodle. The required readings for the paper are available through the online reading site (link is on Moodle).

Each week, the Moodle page will be updated including adding the compulsory online tutorial/task for the week. This work needs to be completed before your face-to-face tutorial the following week.