Public Health
20 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PUBH A100 Personal Health
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHS 100
This course focuses on the exploration of major health issues and behaviors in the various dimensions of health. Emphasis is on positive health behaviors and personal responsibility. Topics include mental health, stress, drugs, alcohol, smoking, exercise, nutrition, weight control, chronic and infectious diseases, sexuality, consumer health, violence, aging and environmental health. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A100; students who complete PUBH A100 may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A100.
PUBH A160 Peer Health Education Level 1
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course prepares students to serve as a member of the Peer Health Action Team (PHAcT) at OCC. Topics covered include strategies for behavior change, referrals, programming, presentation, and group success. Students will be certified as Peer Health Educators through BACCHUS national certification exam. 36 hours in the classroom; 36 hours arranged. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A160; students who complete PUBH A160 may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A160.
PUBH A200 Introduction to Public Health
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHS 101
This course presents an overview of the disciplines of community and public health. Topics include the basic concepts and terminologies of public health; an overview of various public health professions and organizations; the study, prevention, and control of diseases in the community; the analysis of the social determinants of health; strategies for eliminating disease, illness, and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; school health promotion; environmental health and safety; and an overview of the healthcare delivery system in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on developing knowledge and preliminary skills to advocate for community and public health effectively. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A200/PUBH A200H; students who complete PUBH A200 may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A200 or PUBH A200H.
PUBH A200H Introduction to Public Health Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course presents an overview of the disciplines of community and public health. Topics include the basic concepts and terminologies of public health; an overview of various public health professions and organizations; the study, prevention, and control of diseases in the community; the analysis of the social determinants of health; strategies for eliminating disease, illness, and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; school health promotion; environmental health and safety; and an overview of the healthcare delivery system in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on developing knowledge and preliminary skills to advocate for community and public health effectively. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A200/PUBH A200; students who complete PUBH A200H may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A200 or PUBH A200.
PUBH A202 Drugs, Health, and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHS 103
Examination of the use, misuse and abuse of drugs, both licit and illicit, in American society and the pharmacologic, neurologic and physiologic effects of selected substances on the human brain. Includes psychosocial, legal, historical, political, social, economic and health related aspects; drug dependency, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention education. Focuses on the impact of psychoactive drugs on the individual and society, including the epidemiology and toxicology of substance abuse and its relevance to personal and public health. Epidemiologic data on the prevalence, incidence, and trends of smoking, alcohol, prescription and other drug dependencies in the U.S. will be covered, as well as risk factors associated with the use and abuse of these substances. Current options for recovery and a survey of local resources will be reviewed. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A122; students who complete PUBH A202 may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A122.
PUBH A203 Health and Social Justice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHS 102
This course provides an introduction to the health inequities in the United States that stem from unequal living conditions. Students will explore how education, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and gender and other social factors shape health epidemics and policy development. The basic skills necessary for advocating for health and social justice will be theoretically demonstrated.
PUBH A205 Introduction to Health and Healthcare Careers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- English, one level below transfer (ie, eligibility for English composition (CID ENGL 100) and reading a course with an exiting skill of ability to read a college level text.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- PH 105
This course provides an overview of healthcare careers and their respective career paths, educational requirements, skill requirements, and professional responsibilities. Essential skills required by health-related professions, such as emphasizing personal attributes, demonstrating professionalism, engaging in teamwork, and building communication skills, will be covered. Students will evaluate the pros and cons of careers they are interested in pursuing to guide them in making educational and career decisions for various public health and healthcare occupations.
PUBH A206 Holistic Health: Health and Healing Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- English, one level below transfer (ie, eligibility for English composition (CID ENGL 100) and reading a course with an existing skill of ability to read a college level text.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PH106
This course explores the holistic nature of health. Health, disease, healing, and healers will be examined from a cultural perspective, comparing the perspectives, approaches, and practices of Western and non-Western medicine. The role of a variety of factors that influence disease risk and health outcomes will be addressed.
PUBH A208 Investigating Disease Outbreaks and Epidemics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- English, one level below transfer (ie, eligibility for English composition (CID ENGL 100) and reading a course with an exiting skill of ability to read a college level text.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PH108
This introductory course examines the social, cultural, political, and historical impact of epidemics and disease outbreaks. It will include the applications of epidemiology to public health practice and our society, and the study of the ethical and social context of epidemiology through great works of literature and selected historical narratives.
PUBH A209 Global Health
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- English, one level below transfer (ie, eligibility for English composition (CID ENGL 100) and reading a course with an exiting skill of ability to read a college level text.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PH 109
This course introduces the broad and growing field of global health, global health challenges, programs, and policies. Students will discuss how health and illness are defined and explore the biological, cultural, social, and political factors that influence health at a global level. Topics include comparative health systems; emerging global health priorities, such as infectious conditions, poverty, conflicts, and emergencies; social determinants of health; health systems reform; and major global health initiatives for disease prevention and health promotion. An emphasis is placed on global health ethics, health inequities, and issues of social justice.
PUBH A210 Navigating the U.S. Health Care System, Health Insurance, Public Assistance, and Benefits Programs
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- PH 110
This course provides students with an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and health insurance options to provide for efficient navigation through the healthcare system. Topics include the history of health insurance in the U.S. and the role of government in healthcare; the U.S. healthcare workforce; basic health insurance terminology; types of insurance and the healthcare marketplace; different types of care, including outpatient, ambulatory and long-term care; public assistance programs and disability programs; and, ethical and bioethical issues. Enrollment Limitation: INHL A210; students who complete PUBH A210 may not enroll in or receive credit for INHL A210.
PUBH A213 Social Determinants of Health, Disparities and Equities
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PH 113
This course will examine personal and social determinants of health through the examination of the role individuals play in their own health and well-being, along with the impact of environmental, social, structural, and cultural factors that play a role both in individual and community and public health. Health disparities and inequities in sexually diverse, gender, racial, and minority populations will be explored, and culturally competent ideas to bridge the health equity gap and improve population health will be developed.
PUBH A214 Public Health Statistics
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Advisory
- English, one level below transfer (ie, eligibility for English composition (CID ENGL 100) and reading a course with an existing skill of ability to read a college level text.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PH 114
This course emphasizes the calculation, interpretation, and application of descriptive and inferential statistics in public health and related fields. Topics include statistical principles and the use of probability techniques, hypothesis testing, and predictive techniques to facilitate evidence-based practices. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions, statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-square, and t-tests. Application of statistical concepts will incorporate data from public health sources, including research and governmental datasets. The application of technology for statistical analysis, including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings, will be covered.
PUBH A220 Techniques and Topics in Health Education
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- PH 111
This course will provide students with the skills and knowledge to be successful health educators in both group and individual setting. Topics will include the principles and practice in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of public health education and training. This course covers basic theories and participatory training methods, with a focus on meeting the needs of diverse communities and adult learners. Enrollment Limitation: INHL A220; students who complete PUBH A220 may not enroll in or receive credit for INHL A220.
PUBH A230 Assessing and Analyzing Health Information
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- PH 115
Students develop the skills and knowledge required to locate and critically appraise different sources of health information, including online sources, video, print, and others. The review of measurements and methods to access public health data in surveillance systems and vital records will be explored, along with an overview of public health informatics. Enrollment Limitation: INHL A230; students who complete PUBH A230 may not enroll in or receive credit for INHL A230.
PUBH A260 Peer Health Education Level 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Second-semester course for students who have completed PUBH A160/HLED A160 and have been certified as peer health educators by BACCHUS. Students will continue their development of skills related to health promotion program planning and implementation. Emphasis will be on leadership and organizational skills, bystander intervention, and health topic content, ie, alcohol, sleep, nutrition, exercise, etc. Students will serve as members of the Peer Health Action Team (PHAcT) at OCC. Enrollment Limitation: HLED A260; students who complete PUBH A260 may not enroll in or receive credit for HLED A260. 36 hours in the classroom; 54 hours arranged.
PUBH A001N Community Health Worker I
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 18 lab hours
This course focuses on the core competencies of Community Health Workers (CHWs) relating to their role in the community and their responsibilities in serving it. They will learn the importance of health promotion education, disease prevention efforts of public health, and strategies for physical and emotional wellness. The students will be introduced to the principles and research methods of Public Health and develop the skills to navigate the U.S. healthcare insurance system to reduce health disparities in our communities. Noncredit. NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE.
PUBH A002N Community Health Worker II
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 18 lab hours
The focus of this course is to describe and explain diversity in all its forms to address community health disparities. Care coordination skills and knowledge will be introduced to support clients and promote their own well-being. The lab portion of the course provides a space to practice culturally centered interpersonal communication skills. Motivational interviewing techniques will be taught and practiced preparing trainees for informal interviews with their clients. Noncredit. NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE.
PUBH A003N Community Health Worker III
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 108 other hours
- Prerequisite
- PUBH A001N and PUBH A002N or concurrent enrollment.
The Community Health Workers (CHWs) III course focuses on developing the professional skills needed to succeed in the field while working independently or for a healthcare agency. Emphasis is given on self-care, resilience, and conflict resolution. CHWs come into direct contact with a diverse group of individuals and families and witness dysfunctional relationships that can impact their health and well-being. In this course, students will also learn how to build strong alliances with community partners and remain current on their field as a means to better serve the community. To complete the certificate, students must practice their skills through a 120-hour supervised internship to gain field experience. Noncredit. NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE.
PUBH A004N Community Health Worker Supervisor
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 36 lab hours
- Advisory
- PUBH A001N, PUBH A002N, and PUBH A003N; Prior to transitioning to a supervisor position, it is highly recommended that students have at least two years of experience working as CHWs.
This course focuses on Community Health Worker Supervisors' (CHW-S) core competencies relating to their role in effectively supervising CHWs and their responsibilities. They will learn how to hire and supervise CHWs, develop effective communication techniques, and address common challenges specifically related to supervising CHWs.