Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Doctor of Public Health Program

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Public Health Program

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Public Health program is holistically designed to address the multifaceted challenges of global health, positioning it as a cornerstone for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The program's primary and most profound alignment is with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with a curriculum that spans epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and disease prevention. By training academic leaders and researchers to tackle complex health issues through a multidisciplinary approach, the program strongly supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Its focus on creating innovative, evidence-based solutions to health problems directly contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As a doctoral-level program, it inherently promotes SDG 4 (Quality Education) by developing expert researchers who will advance public health knowledge globally. Furthermore, by addressing the social and environmental determinants of health, the curriculum has significant relevance to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally dedicated to improving global health. The curriculum provides an in-depth, research-intensive education covering epidemiology, health policy, behavioral science, and environmental health. It directly contributes to combating diseases, strengthening health systems, and promoting well-being through evidence-based research and practice.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 711	Advanced Epidemiology	This core public health discipline is essential for investigating disease patterns, directly supporting the goal of combating epidemics and other health threats (Target 3.3, 3.D).
PH 532 712	Epidemiological Surveillance and Investigation	Directly aligns with strengthening national and global capacity for early warning and management of health risks (Target 3.D) by teaching methods for monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks.
PH 532 731	Behavioral Science and Health Behavior Theories	Supports the promotion of health and well-being (Target 3.4) by providing theoretical foundations for designing effective interventions to change health-related behaviors.
PH 532 742	Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment and Management	Addresses Target 3.9 by teaching methods to assess and manage environmental health risks, aiming to reduce illnesses and deaths from pollution and contamination.
PH 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Generates new knowledge and evidence-based solutions for complex health problems, directly contributing to research and development for health (Target 3.B).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and academics who can generate and disseminate new knowledge in public health, fostering lifelong learning and contributing to the global knowledge economy.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 531 701	Advanced Research Methodology and Biostatistics in Public Health	Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills that are highly relevant for employment in scientific and academic sectors.
PH 531 703	Seminar in Public Health I	Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing a platform for critical analysis and discussion of current research, fostering the skills to create new knowledge.
PH 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and vocational skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to clean water and sanitation by training experts in environmental health. The curriculum equips graduates to identify, assess, and manage health risks arising from water pollution and inadequate sanitation, thereby helping to protect community health.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 742	Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment and Management	Directly aligns with Target 6.3 by teaching methods to improve water quality by reducing pollution. Graduates can assess health risks from contaminated water and inform management strategies.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports decent work by focusing on occupational health and safety. It prepares professionals to create and implement policies and practices that protect workers from hazards, ensuring safe and secure working environments and promoting worker well-being.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 741	Advanced Occupational Health and Safety	Directly supports Target 8.8 by focusing on the protection of labor rights and the promotion of safe and secure working environments for all workers.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The program drives innovation in the health sector by training graduates in the use of digital technology and the creation of evidence-based health solutions. This focus on research and technological application enhances the scientific and innovative capacity of the health industry and public health infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 531 702	Health Information and Digital Technology Management	Supports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities through the application of digital technology and information systems to solve health problems.
PH 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Fosters innovation by generating new knowledge and evidence that can be translated into novel public health strategies, technologies, and interventions (Target 9.5).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses health inequalities by training professionals to develop and implement equitable health policies and strategies. The curriculum provides the tools to analyze how social, economic, and political factors create health disparities and to design interventions that promote health equity for all populations.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 721	Health Policy and Strategy	Directly aligns with Target 10.4 by focusing on the adoption of policies that progressively achieve greater equality in health access and outcomes.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to creating sustainable and healthy urban environments. The focus on environmental health risk assessment allows graduates to identify and mitigate health hazards in cities, such as those from air and water pollution, contributing to safer and more resilient communities.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 742	Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment and Management	Supports the creation of safe and resilient human settlements (Target 11.6) by providing skills to assess and manage environmental health risks specific to urban and community settings.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program helps build strong and effective institutions by training leaders in health policy and strategy. Graduates are equipped to develop and analyze health policies, contributing to more effective, accountable, and transparent public health systems that are essential for a just and well-governed society.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 532 721	Health Policy and Strategy	Directly supports the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions (Target 16.6) by teaching the principles of sound policy-making within the public health sector.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: This program fosters partnerships through its multidisciplinary approach to solving complex health problems. The research-intensive curriculum, including seminars and the dissertation, requires engagement with the global scientific community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and collaborations needed to achieve global health goals.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PH 531 703	Seminar in Public Health I	Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing.
PH 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical public health challenges.