NS40049X – Understanding Health and Illness

1.1 Introduction

Understanding Health and Illness is a Level 4 20 credit module which introduces you to concepts of health, illness and wellbeing and explores the key factors which may impact on the heath of individuals, families or communities.  The focus will be on understanding those factors which directly and indirectly influence physical, mental health and wellbeing such as lifestyle, social-economic and genetic factors. You will be introduced to the concepts of demography and epidemiology and how this information can be used to identify the health needs of populations and possible strategic responses. You will begin to explore the importance of understanding these concepts in your future role as a nurse.

1.2 Module summary content and aims

The aim of this module is to introduce key concepts of health and illness and the factors that impact on individual, family and population health and wellbeing.

This module introduces students to the concepts and health and illness and factors that impact on the health of individuals, families and populations. The relevance to the role of the nurse will be explored. Indicative content includes:

• Definitions of health and wellness
• Health and illness across the lifespan
• Factors that impact health and wellbeing in society including determinants of health and inequalities in health
• Social, economic and political theories explaining population and individual experience of health and illness
• Introduction to health economics and public health policy strategic plan for next 4 years)
• Interrogation demographic and epidemiological data
• An introduction to health promotion and public health, and the role of the nurse in promoting health across the lifespan.

The module will mainly be delivered through face-to-face teaching and group discussion. As part of this module students will conduct a public health survey of a local area.

1.3 Learning outcomes to be assessed

At the end of this module, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the professional and lay theories of health, illness and wellbeing.
2. Define social determinants of health and inequalities in health
3. Compare patterns of morbidity, behavioural risk factors and health and wellbeing outcomes across the lifespan.
4. Identify the importance of the nurse understanding factors influencing health and illness when promoting the health of individuals and families.

1.4 Indicative Contact Hours

Teaching Contact Hours	40 hours
Independent Study Hours	160 hours
Total Learning Hours	200 hours

1.5 Summative assessment grid

Type of Assessment	Word Count or equivalent	Weighting	Pass Mark	Submission date and time	Method of Submission & Date of Feedback (refer to BB)

Formative Assignment	10-minute group presentation	0%	-%	19/03/2025 by 17:00	Via File exchange
A1 Written Assignment	3000 words	100%	40%	24/04/2025 by 15:00	Via Turnitin 15 working days

1.6

Formative

Students will work in small groups to conduct a public health survey of a chosen locality This will require the students to visit the locality to collect information as well as using NHS public health surveys and data. The group will present their findings drawing out the key population health issues of their chosen locality to the rest of their teaching group. Each group will receive formative feedback from their group lecturer and will provide the basis for their final assignment.

You will need to upload your presentation to File Exchange by 17:00 on the 19/03/2025 and you will present in class on the 20/03/2025

Summative

Written report on population health in a chosen locality and relevance to their role as a future nurse.

Students will present a mini health profile of a chosen community or locality using demographic and epidemiological data based on their locality study. In the profile students will discuss two health issues relevant to their field of practice and provide explanations for the differences compared to national health profile. Students will discuss the importance of why an understanding of the influences on health and wellbeing of populations is relevant to the role of the nurse as a health promoter.   

Due on 24/04/2025 at 15:00 via Turnitin. Feedback will be given in 15 working days.

Guidance to complete assignment

1. Introduction (200 words)

Your introduction should signpost the purpose of your assignment, stating what you are going to do, how you are going to do it and what the relevance of the topic is.

2. Part one (700 words)

Provide definitions of health, illness and wellness and key determinants of health          across the lifespan.  Provide explanations of inequalities in health between population groups. (LO1 and LO2)

3. Part Two - Mini Locality Health Profile (1500 words)

Identify the locality where you have chosen for your profile. This should include the       following;

• An outline of the geographical location and description the locality to include population stats such as age range, sex etc.
• Comment on how different this is from neighbouring localities is.
• Identify 2 health statistics relevant to your field of practice which present poorer health outcomes compared to national statistics.
• Provide some explanations as to why this maybe the case (for instance possible inequalities in health, lifespan issues).

(LO2 and LO3)

4. Part Three - The relevance to the role of the nurse (400 words)

Discuss the importance of why an understanding of the influences on the health and   illness of wellbeing of populations is relevant to the role of the nurse as a health                  promoter. (LO4)

5. Conclusion (200 words)

The conclusion should provide a summary of the main points discussed within the main body of your assignment. You should not bring in any new information in the conclusion. You may want to make some recommendations for practice based on your findings.

6. Reference List (Not included in word count).

For guidance on online submission of assignments, including how to submit and how to access online feedback, please refer to the UWL Blackboard student-help pages at: uwl.ac.uk/current-students/online-learning-tools

1.7 Learning materials

The reading list for this module is available on Blackboard in the module area and online by searching uwl.rl.talis.com. This shows real-time availability of books in the library and provides direct links to digital items, recommended by your lecturer.

Remember to log into Blackboard daily to receive all the latest news and support available at your module sites!

Subject guides (subject-guides-libguides) are also available to help you find relevant information for assignments, with contact details of the Subject Librarian for your School.

Key learning materials for this module include resources available from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as follows;

Public Health Profiles – see https://fingertips.phe.org.uk

Small data health related maps, charts, area profiles and reports – see https://www.localhealth.org.uk

Remember, all your work must have Academic Integrity; it must be an honest and fair submission, complying with all the requirements of the assessment, that properly references and credits any other people’s work you have used. Failure to meet these standards of behaviour and practice is academic misconduct, which can result in penalties being applied under the Academic Offences Regulations.

Important Information for Students Regarding NS40049X – Understanding Health and Illness

The NS40049X Understanding Health and Illness assignment helps students learn about what health and illness mean and why people experience them differently. It looks at health from different angles, not just through medical knowledge but also by thinking about how society, culture, and a person’s background can affect their health.

A major part of the assignment is understanding the factors that influence health, like income, education, family background, and access to healthcare. It explores how these factors can create differences in how healthy people are, looking at real-life examples and research to explain these ideas.

Students will also learn about different ways to see health and illness. This includes the medical view, which focuses on diagnosing and treating problems, and the person-centred view, which looks at the whole person, including their feelings and experiences. The assignment may also cover important topics like mental health, long-term illness, and how health policies affect people`s lives.

By completing this assignment, students will not only learn more about health and illness but also develop skills in thinking critically, analysing situations, and understanding how health is more than just the absence of disease.