Public Health Informatics: The Intersection of Data and Health
March 14, 2025
Article · 5 min read
Instructors: Karen A. Monsen, PhD, RN, FAMIA, FNAP, FAAN
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This five course specialization explores dimensions of applied knowledge related to the social determinants of health. This specialization will utilize the Data-to-Action Hourglass Model to support thinking about multiple perspectives as a way to filter, frame, and focus data-driven action related to social determinants of health.
Course 1: Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health, provides an overview of definitions and theoretical perspectives that will form the foundation of this specialization.
Course 2: Social Determinants of Health and Vulnerable Populations, highlights how social determinants of health can affect vulnerable populations in different ways.
Course 3: Social Determinants of Health and Health Care Systems, explores topics that are particularly relevant for healthcare clinicians and administrators, as well as communities.
Course 4: Social Determinants of Health and Methodological Opportunities, examines the methodological approaches and research tools that inform an understanding of best practices in working with science teams, communities, and with data.
Course 5: Social Determinants of Health and Planetary Health, centers on planetary health as a fundamental health determinant in shaping a shared future.
Each course also includes a data applications module, in which learners will practice analyzing, displaying, and interpreting social determinants of health data.
Applied Learning Project
Each course in this specialization will feature a data applications component, in which students will have the chance to practice using R to analyze, display, and interpret social determinants of health data using NHANES and Omaha System datasets. Students will then have the chance to apply these skills to their own datasets as part of a peer-reviewed assignment
This first of five courses introduces students to the social determinants of health, and provides an overview of the definitions and theoretical perspectives that will form the foundation of this specialization. The topics of this course include:
1. Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health 2. Theoretical Perspectives and Knowledge Complexity 3. Data Driven Collective Impact 4. Minority Stress Theory 5. Data Applications: Frequency Analysis and Bar Chart Visualization
This second of five courses focuses on how social determinants of health affects vulnerable populations. Focusing on four groups of vulnerable populations, students will examine how social determinants of health contribute to the poor health outcomes experienced by these populations. The topics of this course include:
1. Poverty 2. Women’s Health 3. Gender and LGBTQI+ Health 4. Family Health 5. Data Applications: t-test Analysis and Box Plot Visualization
This third of five courses explores topics related to the social determinants of health and health care systems. This course will also focus on the relationship between the social determinants of health, mental health, substance abuse, and trauma. The topics of this course include:
1. Health Literacy 2. Mental Health & Substance Abuse 3. Violence, Conflict, and Trauma 4. Ethical Considerations for Health Systems and Data 5. Data Applications: Correlation Analysis and Heat Map Visualization
This fourth of five courses examines the methodological approaches and research tools that inform our understanding of best practices in working with science teams, communities, and with data. The topics of this course include:
1. Community-Based Participatory Research 2. Team Science 3. Community-Level Data 4. Informatics and the Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge Management 5. Data Applications: ANOVA Analysis and Line Graph Visualization
This fifth and final course is centered on planetary health as a fundamental health determinant. As we consider how the health of humans is dependent on the health of Earth’s natural systems, we will also explore how to apply futures thinking and foresight principles to planetary health initiatives. The topics of this course include:
1. Introduction to Planetary Health 2. Values and Sources of Knowledge 3. Action and Movement Building 4. Foresight 5. Data Applications: Regression Analysis and Scatter Plot Visualization
The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
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Students should have basic training in a health profession or an undergraduate degree in sociology, public health, or other health sciences or social sciences. Data analysts and policymakers may also find the content to be compelling and useful.
Courses should be taken in sequential order:
Course 1: Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health
Course 2: Social Determinants of Health and Vulnerable Populations
Course 3: Social Determinants of Health and Health Care Systems
Course 4: Social Determinants of Health and Methodological Opportunities.
Course 5: Social determinants of health and Planetary Health
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
Financial aid available,
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