Masterprogram i Samhälle, individ och folkhälsa, 120 hp

Population health has improved across the globe, but health differences between countries have increased at the same time. Some parts of the world population lag behind increasingly. Within countries the tendency is often the same: health inequalities increase. The Master programme in Population Health, at the Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), will tackle the root causes of health by looking at the impact of welfare policies and social and economic circumstances across the life course as well as behaviours and individual characteristics. Health, and its social distribution, is studied through a multidisciplinary combination of sociology, psychology and public health sciences.

Based on the most current international research this Master degree program will therefore provide a broad knowledge in the field of population health and a deep understanding of its many links to individual characteristics and to how society works. The programme will include courses on welfare policies and the labour market as well as on psychobiological processes and stress. A life course approach to health is taught and we stress knowledge of quantitative methods in epidemiology, demography, psychology and sociology. The second year starts with a course in international health and global change. After this the students will specialize within an area of interest through optional courses and a 30 credit Master dissertation.

Acquired skills for independent analysis of health issues, for critical understanding of evidence and in the use of quantitative methods will prepare students for a research career as well as for a career in national or international organisations working to promote health.