Political Determinants of Health Concentration

Political Determinants of Health (PDOH) Concentration

Yale School of Nursing (YSN) is launching the first-in-the-nation, nurse-led Political Determinants of Health (PDOH) MSN concentration area. This initiative advances the vision that nurses—the largest and most trusted segment of the healthcare workforce—must lead in operationalizing PDOH and advancing health equity. The concentration positions graduates as leaders who can bridge clinical care, policy advocacy, and equity-driven systems change.

Courses

• Political Determinants of Health 1 (2 credits) – Students identify policy and political levers as interventions to address population health challenges. Topics include civic engagement, advocacy, governance, law and policy, commercial interests, health reform, and equity movements. Various contemporary issues serve as focal points for discussion.
• Political Determinants of Health 2 (2 credits, includes 45 clinical hours) – Builds on PDOH 1 content to develop competencies in analyzing how voting, governance, and public policy drive health outcomes across diverse populations. Students apply skills to advance actionable solutions that promote health equity, engaging with national and global perspectives and multidisciplinary scholarship from political science, law, economics, history, sociology, and anthropology.

Eligibility & Logistics

• Application due May 1
• Students in their second specialty year are eligible to apply
• Two courses: 1 didactic and 1 experiential (e.g., policy-related trips, clinical experiences)
• Remote clinical placements are welcome (Zoom provided)