Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy from Coursera

Welcome to "Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy". One Health is the concept that human, animal, and environmental/ecosystem health are linked. The concept provides a useful framework for examining complex health issues such as food safety and security, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. It can be used to analyze government policies to determine if they are effective in improving health and well-being. Agriculture is the foundation of civilization. Surplus food enabled the growth of cities; cities led to nations, and nations discovered the science and technology that allowed populations to grow. But agriculture comes with costs including environmental and ecosystem destruction and the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Antibiotics are the foundation of modern medicine. But antibiotics have come with costs too, including antimicrobial resistance and potentially harmful changes to human and animal microbiomes. This interdisciplinary course will cover diverse subjects such as basic epidemiology, public health, public policy, basic microbiology, food safety, and security, zoonotic diseases, sanitation and hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, environmental and ecosystem health, and the national and international organizations that oversee health, agriculture, and the environment. Disease outbreaks including Influenza, Q fever, and Ebola will be discussed. While the course was developed and recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic, the concepts learned very much apply to it. This course emphasizes holistic, not siloed, approaches to health, and disease.

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Introduces the concept of One Health, a holistic approach to health that considers the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental/ecosystem health

Provides a framework for examining complex health issues such as food safety and security, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance

Emphasizes the importance of agriculture as the foundation of civilization but also highlights the environmental and ecosystem costs associated with it

Covers diverse subjects such as basic epidemiology, public health, public policy, basic microbiology, food safety, and security, zoonotic diseases, sanitation and hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, environmental and ecosystem health, and the national and international organizations that oversee health, agriculture, and the environment

Features discussions on disease outbreaks including Influenza, Q fever, and Ebola, making the concepts applicable to real-world events

Reviews summary

One health policy: interdisciplinary course

This thorough introductory course on One Health Policy provides a multidisciplinary approach to complex health issues. It covers subjects such as public health, microbiology, food safety, and public policy. Although the course was designed before the COVID-19 pandemic, the concepts discussed apply directly to it. Reviewers found the information to be timely and relevant.

Course length of 6 weeks is appropriate

"Excellent course, comprehensive cover on One Health but will take longer then 6 weeks"

Flexible and accessible format with quizzes and discussion forums

"Loved the instructor and loved the min-quizzes throughout the lessons."

"I really liked this course [...] it is updated to the current pandemic that we are experiencing worldwide caused by COVID-19"

"The pedagogy for the course was great with well thought learning activities etc, as well as the discussion forums."

"Concise, informative and Dr. Kahn has helped breakdown key concepts (policy and science) in an easy to understand and follow format!"

Informative and engaging lectures by Dr. Kahn

"The Lectures by Dr Kahn was amazing and look forward to such in the future"

"You are a great instructor: organized, responsive, patient and able to clearly explain complex topics and nuances."

"Really informative and eye opening as the course presented a very detailed explanation about pandemics and diseases."

"I absolutely loved this course! It was really helpful in preventing my intellectual deterioration over the summer."

Comprehensive and up-to-date course material

"This course is packed with great information, wonderful resources, and terrific video lectures."

"I have enjoyed learning this course thoroughly and appreciate the numerous useful references provided."

"This free/no-certificate/audit-only offering, an overview to One Health, is amazingly well-rounded and covers all fundamental bases."

"An impressive course with vast content and references of the highest quality, explained with tremendous clarity by Prof Laura Kahn."

No certificate of completion provided

"A certificate should be issued upon completion of course."

"After doind all the tests and finishing the course, i see that they not issue the certificate, very disappointing!"

"I have just finished the course and I have to say that I found it fascinating for several reasons: the first because it was an honor to meet Mrs. Laura, secondly because despite being an introductory course I have learned a lot and it has also seemed to me a fascinating subject given the circumstances of the times we live in [...] And finally I really liked the two live interviews with Doctors Alan Mann and Neil Vora. Regarding the final task of making a project on Mars, I find it a fascinating job [...] It is a pity that there is not enough time for it! I am actually a teacher in a secondary school in the field of sanitation and health. I have a degree in Chemical Sciences and I also have a degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering. I don't think I will go back to studying a third degree at the University, basically due to lack of time, but it is a pity that a university with the prestige of Princeton does not prepare a simple paper where it says that students from all over the world have passed through its university, although be online. This is the only aspect that I did not like about the course: not having the possibility of obtaining a simple certificate, as I have already said, for me has been more a personal issue than a professional one."

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 Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy with these activities:

Start with an overview of epidemiology and public health.

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Introduce foundational knowledge of epidemiology and public health to build a stronger understanding of One Health principles.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Read introductory chapters of a textbook on epidemiology or public health.
Review online resources or articles providing an overview of the field.

Read a book on the history of pandemics.

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Gain insights into the historical patterns and causes of pandemics to enhance understanding of One Health principles.

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

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read through the chapters, taking notes on key concepts and historical examples.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.

Explore simulations and interactive visualizations related to disease outbreaks.

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Enhance understanding of disease spread and control measures through interactive simulations and visualizations.

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Identify online resources or platforms offering simulations related to disease outbreaks.
Follow guided tutorials or instructions to run the simulations.
Analyze the results and discuss implications for public health interventions.

Three other activities

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Develop a visual representation of the One Health concept.

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Solidify understanding of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health through creative visualization.

Browse courses on One Health

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Brainstorm ideas for a visual representation that effectively conveys the One Health concept.
Utilize design tools or software to create the visual representation.
Present or share your visual representation with others for feedback and discussion.

Analyze case studies of One Health interventions.

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Strengthen analytical skills and apply One Health principles to real-world scenarios through case study analysis.

Browse courses on One Health

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Identify case studies of successful or unsuccessful One Health interventions.
Examine the case studies, identifying factors that contributed to success or failure.
Discuss the implications of the case studies for future One Health initiatives.

Lead a discussion on a topic related to One Health.

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Foster collaboration, improve communication skills, and deepen understanding by leading a discussion on a One Health topic.

Browse courses on One Health

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Select a specific topic related to One Health.
Prepare talking points and discussion questions.
Facilitate the discussion, encouraging active participation and exchange of ideas.

Career center

Learners who complete Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease in humans. They play a critical role in public health, outbreak response, and policy development. This course provides a strong foundation in epidemiology, including the principles of disease transmission, surveillance, and outbreak investigation. It also covers the social and environmental factors that influence disease occurrence, which is essential knowledge for epidemiologists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Policy Analyst

Public health policy analysts develop and evaluate policies and programs to improve public health. They use their knowledge of epidemiology, health economics, and social science to assess the impact of policies on population health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of public health policy, including the principles of One Health, which is becoming increasingly important in policy development.

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

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases in animals, and play a critical role in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans. This course provides a solid understanding of animal health, including the principles of zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental health, all of which are essential knowledge for veterinarians working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Food Safety Inspector

Food safety inspectors ensure that food is safe for human consumption. They inspect food production facilities, restaurants, and retail stores to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of food safety, including the principles of foodborne illness prevention, food safety regulations, and the role of One Health in ensuring a safe food supply.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Safety Inspector

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They play a critical role in public health, food safety, and biotechnology. This course provides a comprehensive overview of microbiology, including the principles of microbial growth, metabolism, and genetics, all of which are essential knowledge for microbiologists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists study the relationship between the environment and human health. They identify and assess environmental hazards, and develop strategies to protect human health from environmental risks. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental health, including the principles of environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and risk assessment, all of which are essential knowledge for environmental health scientists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Sanitation Engineer

Sanitation engineers design and manage systems to control and dispose of waste. They play a critical role in protecting public health and the environment. This course provides a strong foundation in sanitation engineering, including the principles of wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and environmental health, all of which are essential knowledge for sanitation engineers working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sanitation Engineer

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts develop and evaluate policies and programs to improve health care. They use their knowledge of health economics, health care systems, and public health to assess the impact of policies on health care costs, quality, and access. This course provides a comprehensive overview of health policy, including the principles of One Health, which is becoming increasingly important in health policy development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Agricultural Scientist

Agricultural scientists develop and evaluate agricultural practices to improve crop and livestock production. They play a critical role in ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply. This course provides a strong foundation in agricultural science, including the principles of plant and animal production, soil science, and environmental health, all of which are essential knowledge for agricultural scientists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Scientist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses provide health care and education to communities. They play a critical role in promoting health and preventing disease. This course provides a strong foundation in public health nursing, including the principles of community health assessment, health education, and disease prevention, all of which are essential knowledge for public health nurses working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Laboratory Technician

Laboratory technicians perform tests and analyze samples to diagnose diseases and monitor health. They play a critical role in public health, clinical research, and biotechnology. This course provides a strong foundation in laboratory techniques, including the principles of microbiology, chemistry, and molecular biology, all of which are essential knowledge for laboratory technicians working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Technician

Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement programs to promote health and prevent disease. They play a critical role in educating the public about health risks and healthy behaviors. This course provides a strong foundation in health education, including the principles of health communication, behavior change, and community health assessment, all of which are essential knowledge for health educators working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and its impact on human health. They play a critical role in protecting the environment and ensuring public health. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental science, including the principles of ecology, toxicology, and environmental health, all of which are essential knowledge for environmental scientists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Biologist

Biologists study living organisms and their interactions with the environment. They play a critical role in understanding the natural world and its impact on human health. This course provides a strong foundation in biology, including the principles of ecology, genetics, and evolution, all of which are essential knowledge for biologists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biologist

Chemist

Chemists study the composition, structure, and properties of matter. They play a critical role in developing new materials and technologies. This course provides a strong foundation in chemistry, including the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, which are essential knowledge for chemists working in the field of One Health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemist