Public Health, Prevention & Health Systems

The Public Health, Prevention & Health Systems module is designed to turn frequently underestimated topics into reliable exam marks and genuine clinical competence. For MPharm students, this module builds a clear understanding of how pharmacists contribute to prevention, early detection, and population-level health outcomes—both in exams and in real practice.

The module begins with core public health principles, including determinants of health and health inequalities, providing the foundation needed to understand why disease patterns exist and where pharmacists can intervene most effectively. Students will then explore the pharmacist’s role across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, linking theory directly to everyday pharmacy services.

Health promotion and behaviour change are covered with an exam-focused lens, ensuring students understand key concepts well enough to apply them in MCQs, OSCEs, and counselling scenarios. High-yield topics such as obesity and lifestyle-related disease are addressed with practical support strategies rather than vague theory.

Screening and early detection form a major component of the module, with emphasis on understanding sensitivity, specificity, and the real-world benefits and harms of screening programmes. Students will learn how pharmacists support screening pathways through identification, referral, and basic interpretation—without overstepping professional boundaries.

The module also tackles substance misuse and alcohol misuse, focusing on recognition, brief interventions, and appropriate signposting. Finally, students will explore NHS services and health profiles, learning how population data is used to shape services and how pharmacists can turn statistics into meaningful action.

Throughout the module, content is tightly aligned to exam expectations and practice realities, reinforcing areas that are often tested but poorly revised.