Geographies of Health

FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Please note that this course has a maximum capacity of 120 students.
Participation is only possible for registered students.

In case of oversubscription, the students will be admitted by drawing lots.

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.

Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to:

explore and apply concepts and methods related to the disciplines of health & medical geography,
understand through which mechanisms spatial dimensions, environmental & social aspects (eg, inequity & socioeconomic conditions) are related to public health,
describe, apply, and critically discuss spatial and environmental policies & regulations for healthy life in varying contexts,
synthesize primary and secondary information (eg, health outcomes, environmental maps, literature) to develop an evidence-based argument for healthy living,
write a concise scientific report on topics related to health, place and society, and
produce a short presentation (in the form of a PowerPoint or video or poster) on the findings of their term project

Content

Ever wonder how our living space influences our health and wellbeing ? - Our daily environment, from urban streets to quiet parks, from school to our workplace—holds surprising power over our health and life expectancy. However, the influence of place and health is not equal for all! In this dynamic course, we will explore the fascinating world of health & medical geography, where maps, data, and human health information collide to reveal how our lives are shaped by how we live and where.

Health and place are interrelated in various ways, particularly from a geographic and spatial perspective. Health geography is a sub-discipline of human geography that deals with the interaction between people, places, and the environment. Health geography views health from a holistic perspective, and it conceptualizes the role of place, society, and geography in health, behaviors, wellbeing, & disease . Following such a holistic approach, we will delve into answering many urgent questions, such as:

Why do some communities face higher rates of obesity or stress?
How does air pollution, or lack of green space, hit vulnerable groups hardest?
Can urban design fight health inequalities or help urban communities thrive in a changing climate?

To investigate such questions, in this course, we will discuss topical themes for population health related to interaction and pathways between the living environment and health, physical activity, obesity, mental health, and health inequalities. We will apply a socio-techno-ecological perspective to population health problems and find effective solutions to counter these pressing challenges.

Throughout the course, in addition to covering the theoretical aspects, the students will have hands on experience to investigate various topics related to multiple thematic areas, such as environmental health risk factor assessments, life course perspective, climate change, and inequalities in health outcomes , by conducting primary and secondary analyzes of multiple data and documents. Notably, this course will teach quantitative spatial and statistical measures in studying diverse health relations at various scales (eg, neighbourhood, city, municipality). Students will learn how to research questions in the field of health geography scientifically and how answers to these questions can be used to prevent or reduce health problems & recommend future policies to improve population health in various contexts . In this way, students will discover how, as human geographers or spatial planners. Thus, the course ensures a blend of theoretical and practical aspects in solving real-world health problems. At the end of the course, you will be equipped to answer critical questions about health, justice, and sustainability—and to turn those answers into action.

Curious minds studying various disciplines such as geography, public health, environmental science, social sciences, sustainability or anyone passionate about solving inequalities and building healthier futures, would be a nice fit for the course!

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