Program description
The health of a population is influenced by a multitude of determinants, many of which extend beyond the realms of the health system (Marmot et al., 2008). Social determinants of health encompass the conditions in which individuals are born, reside, work, and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of financial resources, power, and opportunities on a global, national, and local scale, influenced by the different policies adopted (World Health Organization, 2008). The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities related to health contribute to poorer health outcomes in socially disadvantaged groups, and these health disparities are commonly referred to as social inequalities in health.
Environmental modifications serve as a preliminary step toward achieving sustainable improvements in health and refer to the implementation of programmes, communication strategies, services, or resources designed to facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviours and enhance living conditions. Community-based initiatives are deployed in diverse settings such as schools, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and leisure environments, and may even encompass political changes with broad community impact, all aimed at fostering healthy behaviours and improving living conditions. Despite scientific evidence supporting such approaches, health policies often remain dominated by solutions concentrated on illness and healthcare, frequently neglecting the crucial role of the social and physical environment. Consequently, interventions targeting the urban environment are essential to address the root “cause of causes” of well-being, requiring transformative changes in living and working conditions within cities, as well as alterations in social processes and knowledge that contribute to a sustainable enhancement of urban health (World Health Organization, 2010).
The university master’s degree in health and community responds to the educational needs of diverse stakeholders engaged in community processes related to health, quality of life, and well-being of the general population. It adopts a multi-professional work methodology that encourages the interaction of different types of professional knowledge and roles, focusing specifically on actions to promote health in communities. It also emphasizes community participation in all phases of community processes that aim to enhance or maintain health. The master's degree seeks to provide the necessary knowledge to professionals dedicated to enhancing community health, to students aspiring to pursue a relevant doctoral programme in health and life sciences (such as public health or community health), and to individuals involved in research or teaching with advanced skills for analysing community health situations, implementing interventions, and assessing community programmes and initiatives.
Program objectives
- Apply theoretical models to assess the social determinants of health, understanding factors such as the social and physical environment and their influence on community health.
- Analyse and produce reports on these determinants, using quantitative and qualitative research methods to gain an in-depth understanding of community needs.
- Design evidence-based community programmes, adopting a multidisciplinary approach to address health challenges.
- Develop research projects focused on social determinants and their impact on community health.
- Promote active community participation, ensuring that its members are involved in all phases of processes that affect their health.
Origin of the master’s programme and acknowledgements
The Master’s Degree in Health and Community was the result of a design process driven by the research group of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UVic-UCC (currently the Department of Epidemiology and Methodology of the Social and Health Sciences). During its conception and development phase, work was carried out with the aim of creating a programme aligned with the challenges of community health and with the training needs of professionals and organisations working in this field. To this end, the educational proposal was reviewed with professionals, institutions and leading organisations in the fields of public health, primary care, community action, public administration, academia and the third sector. Their contributions significantly helped to enrich, consolidate and validate the educational project.
This process of consultation and co-creation contributed to shaping a solid programme, connected to professional practice and committed to training professionals capable of promoting community actions and processes aimed at improving the health and well-being of the population.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the institutions that participated in this process, including the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia, the Department of Labour, Social Affairs and Families, the Public Health Agency of Barcelona, the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Pompeu Fabra University, the La Fàbrica cooperative, the Community Development Plans and the Tapís organisation, as well as other organisations committed to community health and local development. We also wish to express our special thanks to the leading professionals who contributed their expertise and knowledge in reviewing and validating the educational proposal. Among them are Rafael Cofiño Fernández, Joan Colom Farran, Catalina Núñez, Cinta Daufí, Javier Padilla and Angelina González, as well as other professionals linked to public health, community health and specialised training in these fields.
