Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations from Coursera

Welcome to the MOOC "Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations".

We are very excited to have you on board and hope you will enjoy the course!

In the coming 6 weeks, you will learn about the International Health Regulations (IHR), history of its creation and evolution, its major principles and implementation procedures, as well as challenges and future opportunities. We will talk about lessons learned from the previous epidemics and environmental disasters, and discuss possible future health threats and ways to respond to them in an efficient and timely manner. The goal of this MOOC is not only to promote knowledge on the IHR among the general public but also to help international health practitioners advance its implementation, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

Our MOOC «Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations» is highly transdisciplinary and involves prominent experts from more than 15 leading institutions worldwide, including academia, international organizations, and local governments. Along with traditional e-learning resources, it gives access to a highly innovative teaching tool - virtual Simulator IHR 3.0 - a serious game where you can practice managing health crises from different perspectives. No matter which country you come from, this MOOC is free and open for anyone interested in learning more about such a powerful legal mechanism as the IHR.

Every week, you will get access to a new Module which includes a series of video lectures, accompanied by a list of recommended readings to deepen your knowledge on the proposed topic. Every module will have a number of practice exercises, such as in-video questions and practice quizzes based on the video lectures and readings, and a graded quiz to sum up everything that you've learned. At the end of the course, you will be asked to take a graded final quiz that you will need to complete (as well as each Module's graded quizzes) in order to pass the course and earn a Certificate if you chose this option at enrolment.

We encourage you to use Discussion Prompts and forums to discuss the course material with fellow students enrolled in the MOOC. You can greatly contribute to the learning process by posting your questions, commenting, or sharing your personal experiences and examples from your countries.

This MOOC was produced jointly by the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin, Université Paris Descartes (France) and ANEO in close collaboration with the World Health Organization Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland) and WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (Cairo, Egypt), with the financial aid of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), UNIGE and WHO.

We wish you good luck with the MOOC and look forward to seeing you in our learning community!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and course outline

The main objective of this Module is to explore the reasons behind the creation of this MOOC, its structure and the main topics covered. Using several real-world examples this Module introduces the main facets of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and controversies around it, and also presents the factors that motivated the countries to come together for the first time to discuss the issues of international public health, and the resulting documents that would later give birth to the first ever IHR.

Historic perspectives. IHR Articles & Procedures

This Module presents the content of the 2005 revision of the IHR and the main factors that led to the need for this revision, such as major societal changes, globalization and expansion of travel and international exchanges of people, leading to emergence and re-emergence of health threats. This Module also walks the student through the IHR text and outlines its main elements: definitions, main principles and goals, as well as the mechanisms of assessment and notification of health events of potential concern.

Intersectorality of the IHR - Part 1. Health threats covered by the IHR

This and the following Module provide an introduction to the complex interconnectedness of public health, and the IHR specifically, with other sectors. More precisely, Module 3 focuses on the linkage between human health and animal health and possible future health threats. Students will get familiar with examples of situations in which the IHR has come into action to limit the effects of a health hazard, such as Zika virus, SARS or Ebola epidemics that were declared as public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC), along with the H1N1 outbreak.

Intersectorality of the IHR - Part 2. Mobility, trade and national security

Further exploring the aspect of intersectorality of the IHR, this Module will examine the effects that a public health event can potentially have on the global economy, travel and trade. It will define basic, additional and excessive public health measures that can be applied in case of an international health emergency, as well as specific documents that are necessary to ensure safety in international traffic and trade. This Module will also introduce the students to the issue of national security in the context of practical application of the IHR.

National planning, monitoring and evaluation

In this Module, students will get familiar with the main mechanism of assessment of the IHR implementation progress - the IHR Monitoring Framework. Particular attention will be given to the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) process, as well as its final step - national planning. One of the units will introduce the concept of the IHR-PVS Bridging workshop that links together human and animal health. At the end of this Module, students will discover several real-life examples of daily activities of the National Focal Points that are responsible for the IHR implementation at the national level.

Challenges in the IHR implementation. Ebola and the WHO reform

This Module provides a critical assessment of the global progress of the IHR implementation. It examines the main challenges that countries are facing while preparing for or during public health events, including possible violations of human rights. This Module also provides an extensive overview of the main reforms that were implemented inside the WHO after the Ebola epidemic in Africa in 2014-2015, as well as steps forward that were taken by other actors at the international level.

Conclusion and final quiz

Congratulations, you have successfully finished all the educational sections of our MOOC! We hope you enjoyed the teaching materials and were able to gain lots of valuable insights on how the International Health Regulations are implemented in real life and why it is so important to raise awareness on this issue. We would like to thank you for your active participation and conclude with a short video message, a final quiz on different aspects of the IHR covered throughout the course and a discussion prompt to reflect on the progress you made. Good luck and hope to see you again in our online learning community!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops advanced public health knowledge and skills for managing and respond to health security threats, emergencies, and events in an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach

Features expert instructors from leading institutions, organizations, and agencies, including the World Health Organization, University of Geneva, ANEO, and Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin

Provides a comprehensive overview of the International Health Regulations (IHR), its history, principles, implementation, and challenges

Includes a transdisciplinary approach, involving perspectives from academia, international organizations, and local governments

Emphasizes intersectoral collaboration, exploring the linkages between human health, animal health, mobility, trade, and national security in the context of the IHR

Offers a valuable learning experience for international health practitioners, policymakers, and anyone interested in global health security

Reviews summary

Well-received course on health security

Learners say this engaging course provides great content that is informative and helps learners understand global health security with a focus on the International Health Regulations. Students state that the instructors are knowledgeable and experts in their field. Learners mention that the lectures are in-depth, high quality, and insightful but note that some of the material should be updated with new information, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learners consistently praise the expertise of course instructors.

"The instructors are knowledgeable."

"Many thanks to all."

"I am truly grateful for this collaboration between this platform and experts from different fields."

The course material is well-received by students.

"Great content, very helpful, easy to follow."

"Excellent course!"

"This is a very interesting MOOC, full of important information."

Learners express that some course material needs to be updated.

"obviously a lot would have changed with the advent of Covid-19."

"Is a ver good course, it only needs to upgrade whith covid issues"

"I think the IHR need to be revised again after COVID-19."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists research the distribution and patterns of disease, with the aim of reducing disease occurrence by identifying risk factors and proposing prevention and control strategies. This MOOC will help Epidemiologists understand the legal and procedural frameworks for international public health, and how they can be used to prevent and control the spread of disease across borders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Physician

Public Health Physicians serve communities by addressing the health of the population as a whole, working to protect and improve the health of communities through public health policies and programs. This MOOC will help Public Health Physicians understand the legal and procedural frameworks for international public health, and how they can be used to protect and improve the health of communities around the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Physician

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health policy issues, and make recommendations to policymakers and other stakeholders. This MOOC will help Health Policy Analysts understand how the International Health Regulations provide a framework for international public health policy, and how they can be used to develop and implement effective health policies.

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International Health Specialist

International Health Specialists work to improve the health of populations around the world, by providing technical assistance to governments and other organizations, and by working to strengthen health systems. This MOOC will help International Health Specialists understand the legal and procedural frameworks for international public health, and how they can be used to effectively improve the health of populations around the world.

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Health Program Manager

Health Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate health programs, with the aim of improving the health of populations. This MOOC will help Health Program Managers understand the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to develop and implement effective health programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Program Manager

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to promote and protect the health of communities, by providing a range of services including health education, immunization, and disease prevention. This MOOC will help Public Health Nurses understand the legal and procedural frameworks for international public health, and how they can be used to protect and improve the health of communities around the world.

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Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technicians perform laboratory tests and procedures, and analyze the results, to help diagnose and treat diseases. This MOOC may be useful for Laboratory Technicians who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to prevent and control the spread of disease across borders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Technician

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists research the effects of the environment on human health, and develop and implement policies and programs to protect human health from environmental hazards. This MOOC may be useful for Environmental Health Scientists who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to protect human health from environmental hazards.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement health education programs, with the aim of improving the health of populations. This MOOC may be useful for Health Educators who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to develop and implement effective health education programs.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and services to communities, with the aim of improving the health of populations. This MOOC may be useful for Community Health Workers who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to improve the health of communities around the world.

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Health Journalist

Health Journalists report on health issues for the public, with the aim of informing and educating the public about health issues. This MOOC may be useful for Health Journalists who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to prevent and control the spread of disease across borders.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases in animals, and work to protect animal health and public health. This MOOC may be useful for Veterinarians who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to prevent and control the spread of disease across borders.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on medication use, with the aim of improving the health of patients. This MOOC may be useful for Pharmacists who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to prevent and control the spread of disease across borders.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with social and emotional problems, and work to improve the well-being of individuals and families. This MOOC may be useful for Social Workers who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to improve the health of communities around the world.

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Health Administrator

Health Administrators plan, organize, and manage health care services, with the aim of improving the health of populations. This MOOC may be useful for Health Administrators who want to learn more about the International Health Regulations, and how they can be used to develop and implement effective health policies and programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Administrator