New UW Tacoma minor emphasizes health

The Nursing Program at UW Tacoma is offering a new minor in Health and Society.

Open to all UW Tacoma students, the 28-credit Health and Society minor is a valuable interdisciplinary study option for non-nursing students who are interested in working in the health-care sector.

"Outside of Fort Lewis, the largest employers in Pierce County are health-care agencies," said Marjorie Dobratz, director of UW Tacoma's Nursing Program. "Providing students with a greater understanding of health is going to assist them in their professional as well as their personal lives."

Health care is a growing segment of the U.S. economy, and there is an increasing need for health workers, people in community service agencies and other professionals to understand how society affects health and the complex issues faced by individuals, families, health-care agencies and communities. Students in this program will learn about health policies, problems and issues and examine factors that influence health in individuals, families and communities.

The program includes courses in health, diversity, environmental equity, domestic violence, women's health, death, ethics and families. The Health and Society minor is open to any UW Tacoma student and is encouraged for students who intend to work in health, non-profit or community-service fields. For more information, contact the UW Tacoma Nursing program at (253) 692-4470 or visit the Nursing Web site.