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

The University of Geneva, Institute Pasteur, University of Montreal and Centre Virchow-Villermé/University Paris Descartes welcome you to this MOOC on "Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface"!

Over the next 8 weeks, you will explore and learn about some of the major and current Global Health Challenges at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface: zoonotic emerging infections (e.g. Ebola, Nipah, MERS, Avian Influenza), antimicrobial resistance, neglected tropical diseases (e.g. rabies, leishmaniasis, zoonotic TB), snakebite and other human-animal conflicts etc. You will learn new concepts from the field of epidemiology, social anthropology, disease ecology, veterinary sciences, global health policy etc. and approaches such as One Health, Eco-Health and Planetary Health. Also, you will learn about innovative tools and frameworks used to study and tackle some of these Global Health challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals era.

This MOOC proposes you a dynamic, international and interdisciplinary programme based on the One Health approach (human-animal-environmental dimensions) and involving more than 30 top experts from more than 20 academic and research institutions and international organisations based in Geneva, Paris, Montreal and the world. Policy makers from the World Health Organisation, clinicians from the University Hospitals of Geneva, epidemiologists from Institut Pasteur etc. will share with you their knowledge and experiences all along this MOOC. Video-lectures have been filmed in different parts of the world and settings (from the field to the lab and office) and will be combined with the latest open readings and interactive activities in the discussion forum, video-conferences etc.

This MOOC keeps evolving and enriching actively over time and two new sections on "Health Benefits at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface" and "Management of Ecosystems under Global Changes: Implication for Human Health" have been added in May 2018. This latter section was developed in close collaboration with experts from World Health Organisation and the Convention on Biological Diversity and is introduced by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

The development of this MOOC was led by Dr. Rafael Ruiz de Castañeda, Dr. Isabelle Bolon and Prof. Antoine Flahault from the Institute of Global Health of the University of Geneva. The list of instructors is completed by Prof. Arnaud Fontanet (Institut Pasteur) and Prof. André Ravel (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal).

Watch our teaser here and let’s get started!

https://youtu.be/WT7-cC21uLU?list=PLnZ (with subtitles in French and in Chinese)

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!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Comprehensive global health one health overview

According to learners, this course offers a highly comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective (positive) on critical Global Health challenges (neutral) at the human-animal-ecosystem interface. Students praise the focus on the One Health approach (positive) and the exceptional quality of the instructors (positive), featuring leading experts from organizations like the WHO and Institut Pasteur. The content is considered relevant, up-to-date, and covers a wide array of topics (positive) from emerging diseases to antimicrobial resistance. While some found the breadth and depth, particularly the extensive reading materials (warning), quite demanding, the course is widely seen as providing a strong, well-structured foundation (positive) for understanding complex global health issues.

Provides a solid foundational overview.

"Provides a solid foundation in the key concepts."

"Excellent introductory course to global health and One Health."

"A good starting point for exploring this complex field."

"Ideal for those new to the human-animal-ecosystem interface perspective."

Covers crucial, current global health topics.

"The information was highly relevant and up-to-date."

"Covers a vast range of highly relevant topics."

"Excellent overview of global health issues and innovative tools."

"Found the sections on AMR and emerging diseases particularly valuable."

Experts deliver engaging, insightful content.

"The experts contributing are from leading organizations (WHO, Institut Pasteur, etc.) and provide amazing insights."

"Lecturers are great speakers and very knowledgeable."

"The diverse range of speakers made the content richer."

"It was a privilege to learn from such renowned professionals."

Excellent focus on the One Health concept.

"The course gives a good overview of the different topics within the One Health approach."

"Excellent interdisciplinary overview. One Health approach is key."

"I really valued the approach at the human-animal-ecosystem interface."

"Provided a broad look at the health challenges from different angles."

Requires significant time commitment and reading.

"Requires significant effort and time commitment."

"The readings were extensive, sometimes overwhelming."

"Found it quite challenging to keep up with all the materials."

"Demanding but ultimately rewarding in terms of learning gained."

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

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

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

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

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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

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