Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome! Key information on the MOOC

In this Module, we provide you a general description of the MOOC, including some videos and readings that give you an overview of the content, evaluation and activities. This MOOC is based on a highly interdisciplinary and international approach to health, please check the huge diversity of experts involved (see in the Syllabus & list of Experts). Learners following this MOOC have had opportunities to participate in a number of activities (join a workshop in Geneva and Basel for free, become teachers of African refugees, win a travel grant to attend a conference in Geneva,..). We shared with you these activities at the end of this introductory section. New opportunities such as these will be proposed through this MOOC in the future, we will keep you posted. Let's get started and do not hesitate to ask any doubts in the forum of the course! We will be pleased to help you!

Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface: The Need for Intersectoral Approaches (Section 1)

In this section of the course, you will learn about some of the major current Global Health challenges at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface and the need for cross-sectoral approaches to health, including One Health, Eco-Health and Planetary Health. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 1" for a more detailed description.

Emerging Infectious Diseases (Section 2)

This section focuses on the current global threat posed by zoonotic emerging infections and the tools and challenges for studying and controlling them. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 2" for a more detailed description. Note that many of the topics addressed here (bushmeat, bird migration and avian influenza, etc) are re-discussed in the section 8 of the MOOC.

Antimicrobial Resistance & Zoonotic Foodborne Infectious Diseases (Section 3)

Antimicrobial resistance is a current top priority in the Global Health agenda. In this section, you will learn about its global burden and the challenges for its control from the national to the global levels based on cross-sectoral approaches to health. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 3" for a more detailed description.

Zoonotic Neglected Infectious Diseases (Section 4)

Neglected Tropical Diseases are not neglected in this MOOC and you will have here the opportunity to learn about their common determinants and the interventions and challenges to fight them. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 4" for a more detailed description.

Conflicts & Injuries (Section 5)

So far we have mainly focused on zoonotic infections, but human-animal interactions can also involve other threats for human health. This section focuses on these conflicts and injuries, paying particular attention to snakebite and the current snakebite crisis. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 5" for a more detailed description.

Innovation & Opportunities (Section 6)

In this section, we propose you to learn about some innovative approaches, tools, frameworks etc. that offer interesting opportunities for application in Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface: Citizen Science, Crowdsroucing, Digital Epidemiology and Big Data etc. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 6" for a more detailed description.

Health Benefits at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface (Section 7)

So far, in this course we have mainly focused on health risks. In this section, we have also tried to bring the positive impacts on health that emerge from human-animal interactions and more widely from interactions with ecosystems. You will learn about the notion of Environmental Health from a historical perspective and the importance of ecosystem services for human health, including the benefits on health of owning companion animals. Please watch video "Introduction to Section 7" for a more detailed description.

Management of Ecosystems under Global Changes: Implications for Human Health (section 8)

This section was created in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) with the goal of highlighting the importance of sustainable management of ecosystems for human health, particularly in the context of climate change. You will be introduced to core issues, challenges and opportunities at the intersection of food systems -including both agricultural biodiversity and sustainable fisheries- and human health against a backdrop of global environmental change. Differential gender impacts are also considered, with a dedicated lecture on the theme and as a cross-reference in other sub-themes. This section is introduced by the Director-General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and by Cristina Romanelli from the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Final Quiz

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Engages both academic and industry professionals who are concerned with the health challenges that arise from the connections between humans, animals, and the environment

Strong reputation of the University of Geneva's Institute of Global Health, Institute Pasteur, University of Montreal, and Centre Virchow-Villermé/University Paris Descartes as leading academic and research institutions in global health

Explores the 'One Health' approach, which is increasingly recognized as a critical framework for tackling global health challenges

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from emerging infectious diseases to zoonotic neglected infectious diseases, conflicts and injuries, and innovation opportunities

Taught by a team of over 30 experts from diverse fields, including epidemiology, social anthropology, disease ecology, and global health policy

Offers a unique perspective by incorporating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in the newly added section on Management of Ecosystems under Global Changes

Requires a basic understanding of global health concepts and terminology

Reviews summary

Globally relevant health

Learners say that this engaging course is well received and especially well prepared to address many current and future global health challenges. It provides a wide diversity of topics and information through experts in the field who deliver their understandable and interesting lectures in a clear manner. These topics are up to date and in keeping with the overall title of the course, including the added value of incorporating gender-oriented actions and policies when addressing environmental health issues. Learners note that the case study sections were very interesting and it was highly motivating to see real improvements happening in the field. They also note that the transcripts of videos were often wrong and ridiculously set up.

Current and relevant information.

"The course content gets regularly updated."

"The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is an example to the outbreaks of the novel zoonotic diseases and it should be added to this course to create a value added impact for the learners."

Clear, understandable lectures.

"The wide diversity of topics and information was delivered by experts in a clear manner."

"I found the earlier parts more connected to my interest in epidemiology whereas the second half was more generalised but nevertheless I was exposed to many new ideas on global health and ecosystem issues that I was totally unaware of."

"I did have some difficulty understanding some of the accents and translations which detracted from my complete understanding of what they were saying."

Learn from industry leaders.

"This is one of the best courses I have taken."

"It is a great addition to my knowledge on One health and emerging infectious diseases."

"It is also an eye-opener on important topics like biodiversity and ecosystem services."

"The experts did a great job by disseminating knowledge from different parts of the world."

Covers many critical topics in global health.

"The course of Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface is well prepared."

"I learned and improved my experience and knowledge in the Agri-Food Industry from the Farm to the Fork, Biodiversity, Global Health and Ecosystem Services."

"The zoonotic diseases and human, animal and wildlife interaction and the effects of the climate change are increasing each year."

Difficulty understanding some accents and translations.

"I did have some difficulty understanding some of the accents and translations which detracted from my complete understanding of what they were saying."

Limited ability to review incorrect answers.

"Unable to view incorrect answers."

"The questions are very vague."

Assignments can be unclear and difficult to complete.

"Content course - great! But the assignments of the third and fourth weeks are terrible!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface with these activities:

Review Key Concepts

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Refresh foundational knowledge on core concepts related to human health, ecosystem health, and the interconnectedness between the two.

Browse courses on Human Health

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Review lecture notes and readings from previous courses
Consult textbooks or online resources
Attend a refresher session or workshop

Review Material on Zoonotic Diseases

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You will be able to start the MOOC with a great foundational understanding of the basics of Zoonotic diseases by refreshing your knowledge before the start of the course

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Review your notes or textbooks on Zoonotic diseases
Take practice quizzes or tests on Zoonotic diseases

Develop a Mini-Proposal

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Work on a project proposal to design and implement a research or intervention project that addresses a specific Global Health challenge at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.

Browse courses on Global Health

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Identify a problem or issue
Develop a research question or intervention goal
Propose a methodology and timeline
Identify potential partners and resources
Write a concise and compelling proposal

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Read 'Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic'

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Gain insights into the history, science, and prevention of emerging zoonotic diseases through David Quammen's acclaimed book.

View Contagio: La evolución de las pandemias /... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read the book at a steady pace
Take notes or highlight key passages
Discuss the book with peers or an instructor

Facilitate a discussion group

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Engage with peers to discuss and analyze emerging infectious diseases and their impact on human and animal health.

Browse courses on Emerging Infectious Diseases

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Select a topic for discussion
Prepare discussion questions
Facilitate the discussion
Summarize the main points and insights

Design a poster

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Create a visually appealing poster to convey complex concepts about the interconnectedness between human health, animal health, and ecosystem health.

Browse courses on Ecosystem Health

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Research the topic and gather relevant data
Brainstorm ideas for the layout and design
Create a draft of the poster
Get feedback from peers or instructors
Finalize the poster and present it

Case Study Analysis

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Analyze real-world case studies to understand the challenges and strategies for controlling antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic foodborne diseases.

Browse courses on Antimicrobial Resistance

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Read the case studies
Identify the key issues and challenges
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Present your findings

Career center

Learners who complete Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They conduct research to identify risk factors for developing diseases and injuries, and to evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs. The course's emphasis on epidemiology, disease ecology, and global health policy would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of epidemiology and global health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in animals. They also work to protect public health by preventing the spread of animal diseases to humans. The course's focus on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and One Health would be particularly valuable to veterinarians, as it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address these issues in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Public Health Policy Analyst

Public health policy analysts develop and evaluate policies and programs to improve public health. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions. The course's coverage of global health policy, One Health, and Eco-Health would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of public health policy and global health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Policy Analyst

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists study the relationship between environmental factors and human health. They work to identify and mitigate environmental hazards, and to promote healthy environments. The course's focus on the environment-health nexus, One Health, and Planetary Health would be particularly valuable to environmental health scientists, as it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address these issues in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Medical Anthropologist

Medical anthropologists study the social, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence health and illness. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, public health agencies, and non-profit organizations. The course's emphasis on social anthropology, One Health, and Eco-Health would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of medical anthropology and global health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Anthropologist

Global Health Consultant

Global health consultants provide technical assistance to governments, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes in developing countries. The course's focus on global health policy, One Health, and Eco-Health would be particularly valuable to global health consultants, as it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address these issues in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Global Health Consultant

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife biologists study the biology, behavior, and conservation of wildlife. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions. The course's emphasis on zoonotic diseases, disease ecology, and One Health would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of wildlife biology and global health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Health Communication Specialist

Health communication specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. The course's emphasis on communication and behavior change would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of health communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communication Specialist

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. They work in a variety of settings, including business, government, and healthcare. The course's emphasis on data analysis and visualization would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of data analysis.

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Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge and develop new technologies. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, industry, and government. The course's focus on research methods and scientific writing would be particularly valuable to research scientists, as it would provide them with the skills needed to effectively conduct and communicate their research.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to a non-technical audience. They work in a variety of settings, including journalism, public relations, and academia. The course's emphasis on communication and science writing would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of science writing.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts develop and evaluate policies and programs to address social and economic issues. They work in a variety of settings, including government, non-profit organizations, and think tanks. The course's emphasis on policy analysis and global health policy would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of policy analysis.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work in a variety of settings, including business, government, and healthcare. The course's emphasis on project management and stakeholder engagement would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of project management.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants help organizations to identify and implement sustainable practices. They work in a variety of settings, including business, government, and non-profit organizations. The course's emphasis on sustainability and One Health would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of sustainability.

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Science Educator

Science educators develop and implement educational programs to teach science to students. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and science centers. The course's emphasis on science communication and education would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a strong foundation in the principles and methods of science education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Educator