AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of the basic concepts of health promotion and prevention. Understanding to students that adopting a healthy lifestyle and adhering to prevention programs in adolescence/youth are the basis of a healthy adult and elderly life.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should: understand the key concepts of hygiene, public health, and health determinants, distinguishing between different forms of prevention and the impact of lifestyle on chronic and infectious diseases; demonstrate an understanding of the importance of protecting physical and mental health, health literacy, and combating misinformation during childhood and adolescence; be familiar with the main areas of preventive intervention during adolescence and young adulthood; and be able to design health promotion educational interventions applicable to school settings and educational services.

PREREQUISITES

No specific prerequisites are required

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with active student participation. Examples of educational programs designed to promote health and prevention, applicable to services for young people

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

•    The concept of health and its evolution over time: The historical evolution of individual and collective health.

•    Definitions of prevention and health promotion: Principles of hygiene, public health, concepts of risk, and protective factors.

•    Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention: Definition and application of the different levels of prevention during childhood and adolescence.

•    Determinants of health: Biological, behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic factors; health inequalities and empowerment.

•    Epidemiology and prevention of communicable diseases: Epidemiological measures, community infection prevention, personal/environmental hygiene.

•    Epidemiology and prevention of noncommunicable diseases: Prevention of risk factors for chronic diseases, combating addictions (substance and digital), and mental health protection.

•    Objectives of the National Prevention Plan (PNP) and National Vaccination Prevention Plan (PNPV): National prevention strategies, benefits of vaccines, vaccination schedule with a focus on recommended vaccinations during adolescence, and vaccine hesitancy

•    Health-promoting schools: Setting-based approach, health literacy, combating fake news, and methodologies for designing and evaluating educational interventions.

The course contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: Goal 3, Goal 4, Goal 10

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The course materials will be provided by the instructor and posted on Aulaweb.

Recommended reading for further study :

Sidoti E. Igiene e promozione della salute. Per scienze della formazione. Piccin-Nuova Libraria.

Marmot M. La salute disuguale. La sfida di un mondo ingiusto. Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore.

WHO/UNESCO. Making every school a health-promoting school: Global standards and indicators.
Ministero della Salute. Piano Nazionale della Prevenzione 2026–2031.

Regione Liguria / Alisa. Linee di indirizzo regionali per la "Scuola che promuove salute" - Programma PP01 del Piano Regionale della Prevenzione.

Bertini M. Psicologia della salute. Raffaello Cortina Editore.

Bertini M., Braibanti P., Gagliardi M.P. Il modello “Skills for Life” 11–14 anni. La promozione dello sviluppo personale e sociale nella scuola. FrancoAngeli.

Auxilia F., Pontello M. Igiene, medicina preventiva e salute globale. Piccin-Nuova Libraria, 2022.

ISS Epicentro. OKkio alla SALUTE – Indagine 2023.
ISS Epicentro. HBSC Italia – Indagine 2022.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELVIRA MASSARO (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second Semester of the 2026–27 Academic Year. Classes begin: first week of March 2027.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Mandatory written exam. The test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer (1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for each incorrect or unanswered question) and 1 open-ended question. The open-ended question will assess the level of knowledge attained, the depth of analysis, and the ability to use appropriate vocabulary. An oral exam may be requested by the student to improve the grade received on the written exam.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) are reminded that in order to request accommodations during the exam, they must first submit their certification to the University’s Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD.

Next, to request accommodations for exams, students with a disability or a learning disability (DSA) must fill out the form available on this page: Services for Students with Disabilities or Learning Disabilities (DSA) | UniGe | University of Genoa. Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), on the other hand, must send an email to the instructor, copying the School Coordinator for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLDs (laura.traverso@unige.it) and the “Student Inclusion” Department <inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it>. The email must specify:

the course title

the exam date

your last name, first name, and student ID number

the compensatory tools and accommodations deemed necessary and requested.

For all students, requests for accommodations must be submitted well in advance (7 business days) of the exam date. Late requests may not be accepted.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Mandatory written exam. The written format ensures the objectivity of the assessment and evaluates whether students have met the course objectives across the entire syllabus. It is believed that this format allows for an accurate assessment of whether students have achieved the general and specific learning objectives. An oral exam may be requested by the student to improve the grade obtained on the written exam. The oral exam will assess the student’s level of knowledge, the quality of their presentation, and their ability to use vocabulary appropriate to the subject matter.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The course page will be made available on Aulaweb. Course materials presented in class will be uploaded regularly to this page. Additional course materials for further study will also be uploaded to Aulaweb.
The instructor will post all information related to the course on the course page.