Syllabus

Course Description

This course provides an understanding of the complex and challenging public health issue of food security and in a world where one billion people are under-nourished while another billion are overweight. Explores the connections among diet, the current food production system, the environment and public health, considering factors such as economics, population and equity. Case studies are used to examine these complex relationships and as well as alternative approaches to achieving both local and global food security and the important role public health can play. Guest lecturers include experts from a variety of disciplines and experiences.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define the concepts of food security and describe how food systems relate to public health.
• Describe how diet, food production, the environment, equity, population and resources inter-relate to impact each other and ultimately human health.
• Describe factors that have helped shape the current food system.
• Identify three to five opportunities and challenges to encourage dietary behavior change, support sustainable agriculture, improve food security and lessen the environmental and public health impact of food production and consumption.