HLHSCI-113 - Social Determinants of Health, Disparities and Equities - Velia Jimenez

Introduction

Hello and welcome to College of the Canyons! I am Professor Dr. Velia Jimenez, and I will be your professor for the 2025 fall semester. I'm excited to teach this class, which sparked my passion for public health! 

Here's a little about me: I received my Doctor of Healthcare Science on April 12, 2024! I have a master's degree in public health, a concentration in health promotion and health education, two bachelor's degrees in nutrition and dietetics & food science, two specialized certificates in lactation consultant and lactation educator counselor, and a ServSafe certification and am a Didactic Program for Dietetics certified. I have been teaching at COC for over two years. I was a clinical degreed nutritionist and health educator with Northeast Valley Health Corporation in the medical nutrition therapy and patient and community wellness departments. My primary role at Northeast Valley Health Corporation was working with the RDNs, providing nutrition referrals from providers, and screening pediatrics who are positive for food insecurity; hence, the Social Determinants of Health. Then I switched to being a health educator and teaching nutrition classes for adults and pediatrics in Spanish and English, as well as making food demos/taste tests, creating health education handouts, assisting with the mobile food pantry, and working with Food Rx for health grant, where I assisted type 2 diabetic patients who screened positive for food insecurity using the Social Determinants of Health. As of right now, I am focusing on being a professor at COC to help students choose majors in the health profession since it is a high-demand profession, especially if you are working with low-income, minority, and monolingual populations. Working in the healthcare field has made me realize that we need more healthcare professionals knowledgeable in nutrition and in public health. For this class, it is a basic introduction on social determinants of health, and I hope you find this class enjoyable and rewarding! 

Course Description

Examines personal and social determinants of health through the examination of the role individuals play in their own health and wellbeing, 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 traditionally marginalized populations will be explored, and culturally competent ideas to bridge the health equity gap and improve population health will be developed.

What to Expect in this Course

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Response to Forum Discussion Prompts: Each week, a prompt will be posted on the Canyons Canvas site for the class. Students are asked to respond to these prompts each week. (8 prompt responses @ 10 points each, 80/460 points)

2. Classmate Forum Responses: After students post their response to the discussion prompt, each student is asked to respond or comment to two (2) classmates’ posts. (8 total comments @ 5 points each, 40/460 points)

3. Chapter Quizzes: There will be 3 quizzes. Each quiz will cover readings, presentations, and material from the previous weeks. Each quiz will have 35 multiple-choice questions or T/F or fill-in-the-blank questions, to be completed online using Honorlock system. (3 quizzes @ 30 points each, 90/460 points)

4. Mandatory Library Research Quiz: Students will complete this quiz on Canvas. (1 quiz @ 10 points, 10/460 points)

5. Syllabus Quiz: Students will complete this quiz on Canvas during the first week of class. (1 quiz @ 5 points, 5/460 points)

6. Chapter Assignments: Students will answer chapter readings. (4 assignments @ 15 points each, 60/460 points)

7. Signature Writing Assignment Paper: Students will write a final 4-page paper. The paper is worth 100/460 points

8. Group Presentation: Students will create a PowerPoint presentation based on the topics provided. 75/460 points.

Types of Assessments

SIGNATURE WRITING ASSIGNMENT PAPER:

Topic: Community-Based Public Health Initiative Case Study

Textbook Information

Davidson, A. (2019). Social Determinants of Health: A Comparative Approach, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0199032204

Other readings, videos, websites, etc. will be assigned throughout the semester and will be posted on COC Canvas for the corresponding topic week.

Other Relevant Course Information

For more information about this class, visit the digital syllabus! 

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 09/08/2025 Sub#: 1976 Sub ID: 202087