This course aims to equip public health professionals with the information and skills they need to develop and implement public health roles and strategies to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) within their communities. These skills include identifying upstream determinants, using metrics, selecting strategies to impact chosen determinants, and identifying collective funding approaches.

Participants will also assess organizational readiness or barriers to authentically engage the community, apply a shared risk approach, consider braiding funding, and engage in cross-program and cross-sector discussions for upstream impact. Participants will take their understanding of SDOH to the next level as they identify actionable steps to impact the root causes resulting in poor health outcomes in their communities through developing the beginnings of an SDOH intervention Plan.

Ideal For Public Health Professionals who: 

• Are at any level in their organization.
• Have a strong foundational knowledge of health equity and social determinants of health.
• Want to address root causes of social determinants of health in their communities.
• Develop a preliminary action plan to impact the root causes of poor health outcomes in their communities.

Cost

• FREE to participants in Region VIII (CO, UT, WY, MT, ND, SD).
• $175 for participants outside our region.

What to Expect

We use a flipped-classroom approach, meaning you will work through course content and complete homework independently in between live learning sessions (LLSs). You will then connect with a cohort of peers every other week for LLSs that provide an opportunity to ask questions, share your knowledge, and learn from others.

• This is an advanced level course.
• Plan for 3 hours of work outside of the live session meetings.
• Live session meetings are 2 hours each with the first session being 1.5 hrs.

7 Live Learning Sessions Over 15 Weeks

LLSs are held every other week for this course. Each session will include a facilitated discussion among class participants related to that week’s topic. A subject matter expert will lead the discussion, engage participants, and answer questions. This is a unique opportunity to connect concepts of addressing social determinants of health in your daily work! The first session is 1.5 hrs, each session after is 2 hours. Below is the schedule for our live sessions.

• 2 weeks before the first live session, you will have access to the online materials.
• Week 1: Session #1: Orientation/Introduction - participants may opt out after this session (1.5 hours)
• Week 3: Session #2: The Foundations of Public Health 3.0 - Working Upstream (2 hours)
• Week 5: Session #3: Centering around Community Leadership (2 hours)
• Week 7: Session #4: Using Data Metrics to Set your Goals and Track Impact (2 hours)
• Week 9: Session #5: Getting Your Own House in Order (2 hours)
• Week 11: Session #6: Getting Creative with Financing (2 hours)
• Week 13: Session #7: Pulling it All Together (2 hours)

Successful completion of this course requires your participation in these sessions by video using a webcam or built-in camera on your device, completion of 80% of the homework assignments, and submitting a post course evaluation.

Weekly Online Learning Activities

Each week, you must complete assigned online learning activities that include readings, interactives, and videos. There will also be homework/a workbook to complete in preparation for each live learning session. Please plan for 3 hours of work outside of each live learning session.

Course Access

The course materials will be available 2 weeks before the first live session. You will receive additional instructions at that time. If you don’t see an email (don’t forget to check your spam folder), please contact us at lms.registration.rmphtc@ucdenver.edu. Make sure you sign in prior to your first live session to complete the required activities and ensure you know how to connect with your camera.

Successful Completion

To earn a Certificate of Completion, you must complete the following:

• Attend at least 5 out of the 7 live sessions.
• Complete 80% of the homework assignments in Brightspace.
• Complete the post-course evaluation.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify upstream determinants and systems impacting specific health outcomes using a systems thinking approach.
2. Explore and identify shared risk and protective factors across multiple health outcomes.
3. Compile macro/mezzo/micro levels of intervention.
4. Explore ways to address determinants of health with community partners.
5. Compare and choose metrics to measure changes in upstream health determinants.
6. Compile strategies to impact upstream determinants.
7. Audit your internal organizational systems, policies, and practices that may advance or inhibit your equity and justice efforts.
8. Examine innovative and collaborative budgeting/fiscal strategies to advance equity.
9. Practice actionable steps to impact the root causes resulting in poor health outcomes

Length of Learning Opportunity

31.5 hours over 15 weeks

Primary Competency

Public Health Sciences Skills

Development Partner(s)

This training was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of award UB6HP31683 totaling $939,572. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please let us know of any accommodations that will assist your full participation.

Use the buttons below to request a seat.

You will be contacted within 2 business days with additional information to complete the application.