URL study guide
https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_1145Course Objective
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge to identify and explain the contributors to global health issues by considering the scientific and social development of international public health. After this course, students will be able to:• Understand fundamental concepts and theories in global health, like the influence of the biopsychosocial and sociocultural models and the historical and political perspectives that impact global health.
• Discuss critical areas in global health such as health systems, nutrition, infectious diseases, emerging diseases, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and environmental health and identify the determinants that contribute to health inequities.
• Assess national public health issues, health systems and prevention strategies by understanding how health is influenced by global trends.
• Critically analyze data and information in global health and present them in writing and orally.
Course Content
International Public Health provides an introduction to global health and covers key topics integral to the rapidly growing and complex field. International public health strives to promote health equity by addressing the social determinants that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Strategies to address health inequalities include, but are not limited to, the implementation of equitable health policies, advocacy and social justice initiatives, health interventions, and creating health services that are accessible, affordable and suitable for all communities. International public health considers issues that extend beyond geographical borders, explicitly highlighting the experiences of health in transnational contexts and low- and middle-income countries. One of the most characteristic features of international public health is its broad focus and its interdisciplinarity. This field coalesces contributions from numerous fields, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, biomedical sciences, economics, management studies, psychology, anthropology, political science, ethics, law, sociology, gender studies and more. Another central feature is the focus on social justice, which advocates for the removal of systematic barriers to optimal health and quality health services that equally benefit all groups within society. The third feature is related to worldwide trends like urbanization, migration, technological development and globalization. These trends have an enormous impact on health and illness. Studying the worldwide trends is a major aspect of international public health. The lectures in this course will expose students to the primary contributors forming the global burden of disease, social, cultural, political and economic dynamics that influence health outcomes, and the importance of health systems factors in influencing population health. Participation in the work groups will allow students to develop basic research, writing and oral presentation skills by developing a portfolio on a global health issue. Overall, students in this course will be encouraged to analyze the application, role and relevance of research and practice in advancing health equity for vulnerable communities worldwide.
Teaching Methods
Lectures: A maximum of two lectures (1.45hrs per lecture) will be delivered weekly. These lectures will discuss a general topic in international public health, highlighting global health principles, frameworks and varied approaches to achieving health equity. Attendance is recommended. Work groups: Six work group sessions (1.45 hrs per work group) will be delivered throughout the course. These sessions will provide you with the skills to create a public health portfolio with the guidance of your work group coach. Feedback on sub-assignments will also be given during this time. Attendance is required. Group assignment: The group assignment is a public health portfolio of a specific country and will consist of four sub-assignments related to the lectures and completed during the work group. The assignment should discuss global health principles and social determinants of health, burden of disease, health systems and health promotion and prevention strategies presented in the lectures. Self-study: It is estimated that the time for self-study should be approximately 55 hours. It is encouraged that this time consists of reviewing course materials before lectures, contributing to group assignments and preparing for the course exam. Exam: The final exam assesses students' command of concepts, frameworks and analytical tools and practices related to global health issues. The assessment will be a digital exam, consisting of multiple choice, true and false and open-ended questions and will take place in the last week of the course.Method of Assessment
Your final grade is comprised of the following components:- 50% final exam
- 40% group assignment (portfolio 30% + presentation 10%)
- 10% participation A minimum score of 5.5 on each assessment is required to pass the course.
Literature
Book: Richard Skolnik, Global Health 101 (4th edition, Jones and Bartlett, 2016/2020). Available: VU boekhandel.Target Audience
Elective course for first year students of the bachelor programme Health Sciences (Gezondheidswetenschappen), and for second year students of the bachelor's programmes Biomedical Sciences and Health and Life (Gezondheid en Leven) with specialization BMW. The course is strongly recommended to all students who consider the master's specialization in International Public Health or the master's programme in Global Health.Custom Course Registration
Registration via VUnet.Additional Information
Students must fulfill attendance requirements (see study manual) to pass the course. Guest lecturers are invited for specific lectures.Entry Requirements
None.Language of Tuition
- English
Study type
- Bachelor