Connecting students to knowledge
and its application
Southern Utah University
Lynn White, Ph.D.
Health Psychology
Course Description
​
U.S. healthcare is a multi-billion-dollar a year industry. In 2016, the average life expectancy dropped for the first time in decades. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, sedentary lifestyles are increasing, and coronary heart disease – the nation’s #1 killer, shows no signs of stopping. But, there is hope, as health psychologists and researchers in the field are gaining a better understanding of health and wellness – and how to maintain both.
Health psychology is a marriage between the medical and psychological sciences. Whereas a medical doctor would treat people infected with COVID-19, a health psychologist would look for ways to avoid infections to begin with. Health psychologists would work with patients to assist with their post-treatment recovery from a stressful and traumatic episode in their life. Health psychologists adopt a holistic approach to wellness, whose foundation is built on the reciprocal relationship between mind and body. I hope that by the end of the semester students will better understand the mind-body connection, and use this knowledge to enhance their own health and happiness.​​
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to;
identify psychosocial, political, and cultural factors that contribute to their well-being​
​
create and execute a behavioral health intervention plan OR a public health messaging campaign (depending on which project they choose to do)
​
critique research based on study design and methodology
​
use stress and pain management techniques to keep stress at a healthy level and reduce unnecessary pain
​
make informed decisions regarding nutrition, mood, social relationships, and other health behaviors to promote a healthy epigenome
​
maneuver within the health care system, policies, and practices to maximize health outcomes for themselves and the people they love
​
work effectively on a team to prepare and disseminate an engaging and effective presentation on a current health care concern
​
Required Text
​
​None - however, you will have to find, read, and summarize peer reviewed articles on the topic you choose for your "Seek-Answer-Relate-Apply" project.
​
​​​​​

IMPORTANT: you may use ChatGPT in this course. However, you are responsible for verifying the accuracy and validity of the information. Remember, ChatGPT and other AI platforms do make stuff up.