Module manager: Dr Owain Williams
Email: O.D.Williams@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module.
This module is not approved as an Elective
We have become increasingly conscious of the political economy of health. Health is socially determined by factors such as inequality, income, race and class alongside the commercial determinants of health, marking the impact of harmful markets and commodities (e.g. ultra processed food) and the role of corporations in structuring those markets and health outcomes. These drivers of health are linked and have a close relationship with global capitalism. Those working in healthcare, regulation, governments and development must have a detailed understanding of these social and corporate determinants to improve population and individual health and wellbeing.
In this module you will learn to critique the evidence on health determinants and the implications for creating a society conducive to health. First, the theories and concepts of social and commercial determinants of health will be explored. Then you will be taught to analyse data to support investigation of the social and commercial determinants of health. Together, the module will help you consolidate your critical analysis of the political economy of health determinants, the interaction between intersecting socio-economic determinants of health, and the global and national responses that have been offered to meet these challenges.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the social and corporate determinants of health and the key theories and concepts that surround them.
2. Critically evaluate how social determinants of health impact on health status and outcomes.
3. Critically evaluate how the corporate determinants of health impact on health status.
4. Critique key debates on these determinants of health, with consideration of individual responsibility and structures related to health.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Be able to utilize theories and concepts to analyse the social determinants of health.
2. Be able to utilize theories and concepts to analyse the corporate determinants of health.
3. Be able to critically evaluate approaches that are definitive of political economies of health and global health.
4. The ability to identify key strategies, policies, governance, regulation and laws that are or could be used in intervening in these determinants.
5. An ability to critically apply data and data environments to identify and analyse these determinants of health.
6. The ability to evaluate advocacy and governance surrounding inequalities, commodification and corporate activity in health-related sectors, health systems, and government and internation policy.
Indicative content for this module includes:
• Key approaches to the social determinants of health
• Key approaches to the corporate determinants of health
• Analysing how inequalities shape health outcomes
• Analysing the role of corporate determinants on health
• Data Training
• Policy and power analysis in the determinants of health
• Applied case work
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion forum | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| WEBINAR | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| WEBINAR | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Independent online learning hours | 42 | ||
| Private study hours | 95.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 12.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Online learning materials will provide regular opportunity for students to check their understanding (for example through formative MCQs with automated feedback).
Regular group activity embedded into learning will allow self and peer assessment providing opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors. These activities are part of the teaching and learning methods and are not to be considered as formative assessments.
You will be asked to submit a concept note and outline of your proposed assessment topic and data sources on week 4 for peer-to-peer review and feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Concept note (peer-to-peer feedback) - Formative Assessment | 0 |
| Report | 2500 word report (excluding executive summary and annexes) | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team