GLHE6001 Critical Issues in Global Health: Concepts and Case Studies

Module Overview

This module provides a comprehensive overview of current issues and challenges in global health. Using relevant case studies, it will discuss trends and determinants of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as assessing possible effective responses to key transnational health challenges. As part of this process we will analyse the complex relationship between global health, poverty and human development within the framework of the post-2015 Sustainable Development health-related goals.

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

• This module provides students with a clear understanding of the concepts underpinning current approaches to global health, as well as outlining current and emerging priorities within the context of rapid globalisation and demographic, environmental and social change.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Discuss the emerging issues and critical challenges in transnational health and population development and how these are affected by underlying contextual factors such as globalisation, urbanisation and demographic, environmental and social change
Explain the impact of individual, household and community level risk factors on communicable and non-communicable diseases in low and middle income countries
Appraise the complex relationship between health and other sectors within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Evaluate multi-sectoral interventions and policy strategies to reduce the global disease burden and premature mortality
Identify, use and critically evaluate a range of global health resources, including available datasets

Syllabus

Global health: introduction, conceptual underpinnings and historical foundations Global health architecture and governance From the MDGs to the SDGs Communicable diseases Emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases The epidemiological transition and non-communicable disease Health and armed conflict Health impact of global climate change and extreme weather Cities, urbanisation and emerging health risks Health inequalities in Brazil, China and India Health systems and service delivery Healthcare financing and equity Forecasting disease burden: assumptions and explanations

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

There will be 28 sessions including the tutor-led interactive lectures, seminar/tutorials and one computer workshop which will review global health databases and study resources.

Type	Hours
Independent Study	72
Teaching	28
Total study time	100

Resources & Reading list

Barry B Hughes, Randall Kuhn, Cecilia M. Peterson, Dale S. Rothman & Jose R. Solorzano (2011). Improving Global Health: Patterns of potential human progress Volume 3.

Other. You will access to relevant study materials including lecture slides, selected reading and assignment details/electronic submission via Blackboard.

Kathryn H. Jackobsen (2008). Introduction to Global Health.

Lindstrand A et al (2006). Global health: an introductory text book.

Skolnik R. (2008). Essentials of global health.

Crisp N. (2010). Turning the world upside down: The search for global health in the 21st Century.

Further useful literature can be found by consulting.

Marmot M & Wilkinson RG (Eds.) (2009). Social Determinants of Health.

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

Policy brief (2000 words): 70% Short report using online data (800 words): 30%

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Analysis and report ()	30%
Briefing document (2000 words)	70%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework assignment(s)	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External