Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2 from Coursera

This course, Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2, addresses public health issues of people affected by disasters, both natural or conflict-related. It discusses the many changes that occur in people’s lives when they are uprooted by a disaster, including many important topics related to humanitarian crises, such as when there is an epidemic a public health emergency; what do we mean with the humanitarian development nexus; what are the basics of disaster epidemiology and surveillance; humanitarian principles; and other very relevant topics. We will explore what humanitarian interventions could look like if we want to mitigate the effects of disasters.

This course is a follow-up to Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 1, which dealt with changes in disease patterns, access to health care, livelihoods, shelter, sanitary conditions, nutritional status, and other issues.

The course content is a mix of theoretical knowledge and many practical examples from recent disasters. We think this course is unique because it contains so many practical ‘real-life’ examples and is taught be instructors and guest lecturers who together have over 200 years of experience in this field. The course consists of 10 modules totaling approximately 14-16 hours of delivered content with an additional 2-3 hours of self-work (quizzes and writing and evaluating a short peer-review assignment) as well as lively discussions forums. The first course, Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 1 (PHHC1), has been designed in a way that each module builds on the lessons of previous modules. However, the modules from this second course, Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2 (PHHC2) can be accessed in any order and some can stand alone. You do not necessarily need to do PHHC1 before PHHC2, but it might be helpful to take some or all of PHHC1, as some of the basic or fundamental issues are covered in this course. PHHC2 contains a somewhat more diverse set of topics than the previous course as it deals with more complicated issues.

You do not have to pay for this course if you choose to enroll without a certificate. Sometimes referred to as auditing, enrolling without a certificate means that you will have access to all of the videos and discussions. The only difference is that you will not be able to take the quizzes to earn a certificate upon completion. Click the Audit or Enroll Without A Certificate link to sign up and begin the course. Visit the Learner Help Center for more details about your enrollment options.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Disease Outbreak Management (Kevin Clarke)

This module describes features and strategies to detect disease outbreaks and the key aspects of an effective outbreak response.

Module 2: Maternal and Newborn Health (Hannah Tappis)

Maternal and newborn health care is an essential component of humanitarian health response. This module explains why and lists the key interventions at different phases of an emergency.

Module 3: Disaster Epidemiology and Surveillance (Les Roberts)

This module explains the importance and use of surveys and surveillance in humanitarian crises and uses many practical examples to illustrate the concepts.

Module 4: Humanitarian Principles (Gilbert Burnham)

This module describes the core humanitarian principles, their origin and explains how ethics can guide humanitarian decision-making.

Module 5: International Health Regulations and the Global Health Security Agenda (Lauren Sauer)

Disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies continue to increase in frequency and severity. This module describes the basic concepts of the International Health Regulations and the Global Health Security Agenda. It provides understanding when an emergency is a so-called Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Module 6: Humanitarian and Development Nexus (Paul Spiegel)

In this module, the humanitarian-development nexus is explained together with the challenges of providing emergency assistance while taking into account the longer-term development needs of the host population and government.

Module 7: Infant Feeding in Disasters (Mija Ververs)

This module illustrates why infant feeding matters in a disaster setting, what to do and how to identify the warning signs for potential problems on infant feeding in a disaster.

Module 8: Humanitarian Project Design (Gilbert Burnham)

Planning is necessary for humanitarian emergencies. This module illustrates in practical terms the planning cycle and how this is used in humanitarian emergencies.

Module 9: Sexual and Reproductive Health (Hannah Tappis)

In each crisis affected populations still have sexual and reproductive health needs. This module describes the essential sexual and reproductive health services at different phases of an emergency.

Module 10: Mental Health and Psycho-Social Care (Sarah Murray)

Psychosocial and mental health problems are commonly experienced by disaster-affected populations. This module identifies strategies for the identification of psychosocial and mental health problems in displaced populations and provides information on what can be done in the field.

Final Project: Responding to a Humanitarian Public Health Crisis

In this module, you'll plan a response to a real humanitarian public health crisis.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course focuses on public health emergencies caused by natural events and violent conflict

Approaches the topic of humanitarian public health by focusing on specific, critical areas like disease outbreak management

Includes key aspects of emergency response like the importance of ethics and principles during a humanitarian crisis

Provides learners with different perspectives as it's led by instructors and guest lecturers with over 200 years of humanitarian experience

Emphasizes real-world applications and practical examples within complex scenarios

Suitable for learners who have a strong foundation in basic disease patterns and healthcare access

Reviews summary

High-quality public health course

Learners largely praise Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2 for its engaging content and well-paced structure. Students appreciate the practical assignments and say the instructors are knowledgeable. Overall, students say this course is a great learning opportunity that provides valuable skills for public health professionals.

Students appreciate the engaging course content.

"The course was so excellent "

"It was very eye opening. I learned a lot."

"I've learned so many things."

Learners appreciate the knowledgeable instructors.

"so happy to learn this course, I like the professors and their kind to teach their courses"

"The teaching is great!"

Students say the course is well-paced and easy to follow.

"On the whole I found the presentation of modules easy to follow"

"GREAT"

Students say the assignments are practical and helpful.

"The course modules are fantastically very helpful to public health professionals in the fields, like me."

"the course has given me more insight as to how to managepublic health crisis. it has futher help me to know the steps to take in managing crisis."

Some students express concerns about the peer review process.

"The peer review style of grading can be improved."

"I finished my assignment in the first two weeks of January and now have had to continue paying the subscription to await 'peers' to write an assignment as I cannot finish the course AND the website won't let me un-enroll."

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 Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2 with these activities:

Review the basics of epidemiology

Show steps

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

Show steps

Read a textbook chapter or online article on the basics of epidemiology.
Complete a practice quiz on epidemiology.

Attend a workshop on a humanitarian health topic

Show steps

Attending a workshop on a humanitarian health topic will help you to learn new skills and knowledge from experts in the field. It will also allow you to network with other people who are working in the field.

Show steps

Identify a workshop on a humanitarian health topic that you are interested in.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Practice using public health surveillance tools

Show steps

Public health surveillance is a critical tool for identifying and responding to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. This activity will give you practice using a variety of surveillance tools and techniques.

Browse courses on Disaster Epidemiology

Show steps

Complete the online WHO training module on public health surveillance.
Use the WHO Epi Info software to enter and analyze data from a simulated disease outbreak.
Participate in an online discussion forum on the use of surveillance data in humanitarian crises.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Participate in a peer review of a public health intervention

Show steps

Peer review is an essential part of the public health process. This activity will give you the opportunity to provide and receive feedback on a public health intervention, which will help you to improve your own work.

Show steps

Select a public health intervention to review.
Develop a set of criteria for evaluating the intervention.
Provide feedback to the authors of the intervention.

Develop a public health preparedness plan for a specific humanitarian crisis

Show steps

Developing a public health preparedness plan is an essential step in preparing for a humanitarian crisis. This activity will give you the opportunity to apply the principles of public health to a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on Emergency Preparedness

Show steps

Identify the potential health risks associated with the specific humanitarian crisis.
Develop strategies to mitigate the identified health risks.
Create a plan for implementing the strategies in the event of a crisis.
Share the plan with relevant stakeholders.

Participate in a global health innovation challenge

Show steps

Global health innovation challenges are a great way to apply your skills and knowledge to real-world problems. This activity will give you the opportunity to work with other students to develop new solutions to pressing public health challenges.

Browse courses on Global Health

Show steps

Identify a global health challenge that you are interested in.
Form a team of other students to work with.
Develop a solution to the challenge.
Submit your solution to the challenge.

Write a paper on a public health issue related to humanitarian crises

Show steps

Writing a paper on a public health issue related to humanitarian crises will help you to develop your research and writing skills. It will also allow you to share your knowledge and insights with a wider audience.

Browse courses on Public Health Policy

Show steps

Identify a public health issue related to humanitarian crises that you are interested in.
Research the issue and gather evidence to support your arguments.
Write a paper that presents your findings and recommendations.
Submit your paper to a journal or conference.

Career center

Learners who complete Public Health in Humanitarian Crises 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are responsible for studying the distribution and patterns of health events and diseases in populations. They use this information to develop and implement public health interventions to prevent and control diseases. This course would be helpful for epidemiologists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses provide a variety of health services to individuals, families, and communities. They work to prevent and control diseases, promote healthy behaviors, and improve the overall health of the population. This course would be helpful for public health nurses because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Disaster Relief Specialist

Disaster relief specialists are responsible for coordinating and managing disaster relief efforts. They work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to provide assistance to disaster-affected populations. This course would be helpful for disaster relief specialists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disaster Relief Specialist

Medical Doctor

Medical doctors provide a variety of medical services to patients. They diagnose and treat diseases, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications. This course would be helpful for medical doctors because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Doctor

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts are responsible for analyzing health policy issues and developing recommendations for policy changes. They work with policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to improve the health of the population. This course would be helpful for health policy analysts because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Public Health Researcher

Public health researchers conduct research to identify and address public health problems. They design and conduct studies, analyze data, and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. This course would be helpful for public health researchers because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Researcher

Field Epidemiologist

Field epidemiologists are responsible for investigating disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. They work with public health officials, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to identify the source of the outbreak and to develop and implement control measures. This course would be helpful for field epidemiologists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Epidemiologist

Social Worker

Social workers provide a variety of services to individuals, families, and communities. They work to help people cope with personal, social, and economic challenges and to improve their overall well-being. This course would be helpful for social workers because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners provide a variety of health care services to patients. They diagnose and treat diseases, prescribe medications, and provide counseling. This course would be helpful for nurse practitioners because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse Practitioner

Maternal and Child Health Specialist

Maternal and child health specialists provide a variety of services to pregnant women, new mothers, and children. They work to improve the health of mothers and children and to reduce infant mortality. This course would be helpful for maternal and child health specialists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Maternal and Child Health Specialist

Occupational Health Specialist

Occupational health specialists work to protect workers from health hazards in the workplace. They identify and assess occupational hazards, develop and implement control measures, and educate workers about occupational health risks. This course would be helpful for occupational health specialists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental health specialists work to protect human health from environmental hazards. They identify and assess environmental hazards, develop and implement control measures, and educate the public about environmental health risks. This course would be helpful for environmental health specialists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Specialist

Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists develop and implement health education programs. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to promote healthy behaviors and improve the overall health of the population. This course would be helpful for health education specialists because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Education Specialist

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. They work to ensure that the organization is providing high-quality care to patients and that it is operating efficiently. This course would be helpful for healthcare administrators because it provides an overview of the public health issues that can arise in humanitarian crises and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing out projects. They work with stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course would be helpful for project managers because it provides an overview of the humanitarian principles and how to incorporate them into project planning and implementation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager