An Introduction to Global Health from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Defining and Measuring Global Health

Welcome to the first module of this global health course. In the first lesson we will introduce you to the overall concepts and definitions of global health and examine the question "What are the biggest global health challenges?". You'll get to hear some answers from fellow learners from around the world, and also have an opportunity to join the conversation here in the course discussion forums. We also have an interview with Professor Susan Whyte about the impact of health policy on a population's health. The second lesson deals with the central tools needed to measure global health burden. Together these two lessons will form the basis on which all the other topical modules are built. Enjoy!

Infectious Diseases

The second module of this course is focussed on infectious diseases. Lesson 3 will introduce you to the concept of infectious diseases and their relation to poverty and development, and lesson 4 will go through three prominent examples of infectious diseases that are still unfinished agendas in large parts of the world.

Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries

In the third module we'll have a closer look at non-communicable diseases, in short NCDs, and examine the forces that are behind the global epidemic rise of NCDs such as diabetes. The module also includes a lesson about mental health and injuries - two major global health challenges that are often ignored when dealing with NCDs.

Maternal and Child Health

This fourth module deals with maternal and child health. The first focus will be on the important, and at times controversial, topic of sexual and reproductive health and rights, often shortened to SRHR. This is followed by a short lesson focussed on child health.

Environment, Climate and Migration

In the fifth module we are looking at some great global crises that profoundly impact the health of populations, namely environment, climate change, and migration. We will examine the health acpect of these mega trends - how are they influencing and challenging policy, health systems, and the health of individuals in both low and high income countries?

Food and Water

Access to nutrituous food and clean water are fundamental to health and wellbeing. In the sixth module we are focussing on the role of nutrition and water, with some extra attention to the important role of sanitation and hygiene and their relation to human development.

Health Systems and Global Health Governance

In this final module of the course we will go full circle, with lessons about the role of health systems and the impact of policy. The last lesson of the course will focus on global health governance and the health aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores global health challenges and their determinants, making it relevant to professionals and students in international development and public health

Provides insights into successful global health strategies and programs, offering practical knowledge for professionals in the field

Organized by Flemming Konradsen, an expert in global health, lending credibility to the course

Includes interviews with other experts in the field, providing diverse perspectives

Requires students to come in with some background knowledge in public health

Covers a wide range of global health topics, which may be overwhelming for beginners

Reviews summary

Informative introduction to global health

Learners say this course provides a largely positive introduction to the field of global health. It covers key topics, includes up-to-date data, and features interviews with global health experts. Students specifically highlight the course's emphasis on health equity, globalization, and urbanization. The course is well-structured and features clear presentations with relevant reading materials. One criticism is that some information may be outdated. Overall, learners recommend this course to those interested in learning more about global health.

Learners apply the knowledge they gain to their professional and personal lives.

"This course really broadened my mind on so many aspects of Global Health, it is so useful and I shall apply them at professional and personal levels."

"This course has opened my eyes as a clinician, i no longer think about the diseases or treatment. I now go beyond and think about other factors that may alter the outcome of the care I am providing to to my patients."

Well-organized and easy to follow, with a logical progression of topics.

"This is a very well presented introduction to Global health."

"The flow of the lectures was smooth from introduction and ending with Governance issues."

Covers a wide range of global health issues, including infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and health systems governance.

"A broad and comprehensive approach to Global Health and its main topics:"

"The course topics were elaborate and the reading materials very relevant."

"This course makes the disease burden very easy to understand and the evolution of the strategies to tackle the problems is demonstrated very well."

"The flow of the lectures was smooth from introduction and ending with Governance issues."

Knowledgeable instructors share their insights and experiences, providing a global perspective on health challenges and strategies.

"I really enjoyed this course! As a veterinary student, it gave me a better idea of what to do after my graduation, especially thanks to the lessons of professor Ib Bygbjerg, which have really inspired me."

"The instructors are all very knowledgeable and the presentations were clear, easy to understand and they had very good illustrations."

Some references and statistics are outdated, limiting the relevance of the course.

"Overall, I did enjoy the content and look forward to more study in this Public Health area. Thank you"

"I believe that the course needs updating."

"Additionally, the WHO sites have been updated and links are no longer operational."

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 An Introduction to Global Health with these activities:

Review necessary computational methods.

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Sharpen foundational skills to help you engage better with the advanced methods in this course.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Go over key statistical concepts like mean, median, and standard deviation
Review methods for estimating health risks

Read and summarize: Measuring Health and Development

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the topic of measuring health and development. Reading it will help you understand the complex issues involved in measuring health and development

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Read the introduction and chapter 1
Read chapter 2
Read chapters 3-5

Watch the video tutorials on the course website.

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These video tutorials will help you to learn about the concepts that are covered in the course

Browse courses on Maternal and Child Health

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Go to the course website
Click on the 'Video Tutorials' link
Watch the video tutorials

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Complete the practice problems on the course website.

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These practice problems will help you to reinforce the concepts that are covered in the course

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Go to the course website
Click on the 'Practice Problems' link
Complete the practice problems

Attend a global health conference.

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Attending a global health conference will provide you with the opportunity to get involved in the global health community and learn from practitioners

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Identify a global health conference
Register for the conference
Attend the conference

Write a blog post about a global health topic.

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Research a topic in global health and write a blog post summarizing the main points

Browse courses on Infectious Disease

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Choose a topic in global health
Research the topic
Write the blog post
Publish the blog post

Volunteer with a global health organization.

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Volunteering with a global health organization will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field

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Identify a global health organization
Apply for volunteer position
Start volunteering

Develop a plan for a global health intervention.

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Identify a global health problem and develop a plan to address the problem

Browse courses on Health Systems Strengthening

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Identify a global health problem
Describe the problem in detail
Develop a plan to address the problem

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to Global Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

Research Scientists can work with medical professionals around the world to study public health trends, disease outbreaks, and solutions to these problems. Their research directly informs many of the health practices used by public health officials, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Courses that provide an overview of global health challenges and the various approaches to treating them may help a Research Scientist plan their course of research and understand the context for their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist studies disease outbreaks and patterns of health and illness at the population level. Epidemiologists use this data to find the causes of health problems and to develop solutions to improve public health. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health provide the foundational knowledge of the biggest global health challenges and how to measure them, which are essential for an Epidemiologist's work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Policy Advisor

Health Policy Advisors recommend and develop public health policy, legislation, and regulations. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health provide the foundational knowledge of the biggest health challenges facing the world, how to measure these challenges, and the international strategies and programs used to promote human health. This knowledge is essential to develop comprehensive and effective health policy.

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Public Health Analyst

Public Health Analysts investigate, analyze, and interpret data to help public health professionals make effective public health policy. An Introduction to Global Health provides essential background on the most important health challenges, the impact of policy on health, and the global health governance structures that regulate public health policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Global Health Advocate

Global Health Advocates work to improve health equity and access to healthcare for underserved populations around the world. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health provide the background knowledge needed to advocate for effective and equitable health policies, programs, and resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Global Health Advocate

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare services in a variety of settings. Understanding global health challenges provides an edge to Healthcare Administrators working with diverse populations in various locations in their pursuit of effective healthcare service delivery.

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International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists help developing countries improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health provide a foundation in assessing global health needs and evaluating the effectiveness of development programs.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study how the environment affects human health. Their work helps reduce the risks of environmental hazards to human health. A course like An Introduction to Global Health can help an Environmental Health Scientist understand the impact of socioeconomic and political factors on the environment and its relation to global health, informing their work in developing and implementing environmental health policies and programs.

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Health Communications Specialist

Health Communications Specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. A course like An Introduction to Global Health can help a Health Communications Specialist understand the global health challenges facing the world and how to effectively communicate about these challenges to diverse audiences.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. A course like An Introduction to Global Health may help a Physician understand the global context of the health challenges facing their patients in a globalized world.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings. A course like An Introduction to Global Health may help a Nurse understand the global context of the health challenges facing their patients in a globalized world.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health may be helpful for a Health Educator to understand the global health challenges facing the communities they serve and to develop effective educational interventions.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to communities. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health may be useful for a Community Health Worker to understand the global health challenges facing the communities they serve and to develop culturally competent interventions.

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Midwife

Midwives provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health may be useful for a Midwife working in an international context to provide culturally competent care and address issues related to maternal and child health.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people navigate social and economic challenges. Courses like An Introduction to Global Health may be helpful for a Social Worker working with underserved populations to understand the global challenges that might be impacting their clients and inform their practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker