Introduction to Global Health

The course is mandatory for students at the Masters degree program in Public Health. Exchange students may be admitted if total number of students do not exceed the regulated 30 number of students at the course. The course is not open for other students than those mentioned.

The course will provide reading, short exercises, and written assignments on relevant Global Health topics. The course starts out with an overview of current global health status, global health architecture and initiatives such as Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage. Key topics are examined in more depth; maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, reproductive health, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis and malaria, and non-communicable diseases. The environmental component of the class covers water and sanitation, air pollution, and climate change. Examples from different parts of the world are provided. These technical areas are followed by exploration of cross-cutting topics including health systems, health information, primary health care, global health security and leadership, governance and policy.

Objectives of the Course

On successful completion of the course, the student should have developed knowledge to:

• Explain global health trends, technical approaches, architecture and major strategies.
• Identify underlying determinants of global health status.
• Explain how reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child health, and nutrition programs act as part of country health systems and communities.
• Describe the principles of how key infectious disease programs, global and national preparedness and global health security are implemented.
• Describe the impact of the burden of non-communicable diseases and current initiatives in low and middle-income countries.
• Identify different critical components of environmental health challenges.

On successful completion of the course, the student should have developed skills to:

• Ascertain where to find and how to access reliable information related to Global Health status
• Appropriately apply and discuss relevant Global Health literature and scientific texts.
• Explain various country-contexts in understanding Global Health challenges

On successful completion of the course, the student should have developed competence to:

• Critically present challenges and trends in Global Health
• Apply knowledge and skills to critically discuss scientific issues within Global Health, explain regional variations, and formulate conclusions.

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• HEL-3035 International Health 5 stp

Language of instruction and examination

This course is open for inbound exchange students.

This course is open for exchange students with a Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS credits) in Health Sciences, Social Sciences or Natural Sciences, or equivalent qualification. For students who hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or Natural Sciences, the degree must contain a minimum 80 ECTS (or equivalent) within the fields specific to the Master's degree programme in Public Health; epidemiology, health economics, biostatistics, health sociology, global- and environmental health.

Re-sit examination