SGLK16001U Ethnicity and chronic diseases in a global perspective

Volume 2016/2017
Education

Master of Science in Global Health - elective course

Content

The aim of the course is to explore to which degree chronic diseases emerge in different ethnic groups on a global level. Main emphasis will be put on diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity. The course will provide the participants with a definition of the concept of ethnicity/race followed by investigations in different populations globally in order to show if and why chronic diseases are more prevalent in specific populations. Studies in Europeans (Caucasians) will be used as a reference. Different questions will be addressed such as: are there biological differences between ethnic populations? Are the WHO definitions of for example overweight applicable in all populations? Do changes in lifestyle have the same effect in all populations? The concepts thrifty genotype, thrifty phenotype and the metabolic syndrome will be defined and discussed. Furthermore, the course will make an attempt to look ahead and give a qualified guess with regards to the association between disease and susceptibility due to genetic admixture as a result of migration and urbanisation on a worldwide scale. Finally, the course will address the association between chronic and communicable diseases which is highly prevalent in developing countries. Course will also contain student presentations in groups.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to able to:

Knowledge:

  • Explain basic concepts of chronic diseases: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity;
  • Master concepts of ethnicity and race in a historical and current context;
  • Explain basic concepts of exposure variables associated with chronic diseases: nutrition, physical activity, overweight/obesity;
  • Master concepts of thrifty genotype, thrifty phenotype (foetal programming), and the metabolic syndrome (dysmetabolism);
  • Explain basic concepts of the association between chronic and communicable diseases;
  • Reflections of ethnicity in the context of disease risk including potential consequences in the context of treatment and preventive medicine.

 

Skills:

  • Read, evaluate and interpret results of original scientific reports on different (ethnic) populations, (disease) exposures, and diseases relevant to the course;
  • Critically evaluate international standards of disease diagnosis by national and international bodies of health;
  • Present results of scientific reports on ethnicity and chronic disease in a clear and sober manner. This includes evaluating ethnic admixture and its possible influence on the conclusions of the analyses given in the scientific reports.

 

Competences:

  • Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease to academia within health and medical courses in epidemiology, clinical and basic science;
  • Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease to health institutions and organisations and implement these for the purpose of optimising disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment;
  • Professionally participate in health-related project collaboration in which ethnicity plays a role either at the individual or group level for a project as a whole or as a specific objective.
The course will primarily have a bio-medical approach. Furthermore, the course fits well into studies such as public health science and medicine as well as nutrition, physiology and human biology. The course will be open to BA-students. Basic knowledge of medical/human biological terminology is a requirement and to acquire skills within such terminology must be expected
The course will primarily have a bio-medical approach. Furthermore, the course fits well into studies such as public health science and medicine as well as nutrition, physiology and human biology. The course will be open to BA-students. Basic knowledge of medical/human biological terminology is a requirement and to acquire skills within such terminology must be expected
Lectures and class teachings
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Exam Preparation
  • 29,5
  • Preparation
  • 215
  • Total
  • 275,0
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes
Individually written synopsis, max. 5 pages, incl. front page and referances.
30 minutes oral exam without preparation
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Exam period

http://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/guidance-information/exam-schedule/global-health/

Re-exam

http://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/guidance-information/exam-schedule/global-health/

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Explain basic concepts of chronic diseases: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity;
  • Master concepts of ethnicity and race in a historical and current context;
  • Explain basic concepts of exposure variables associated with chronic diseases: nutrition, physical activity, overweight/obesity;
  • Master concepts of thrifty genotype, thrifty phenotype (foetal programming), and the metabolic syndrome (dysmetabolism);
  • Explain basic concepts of the association between chronic and communicable diseases;
  • Reflections of ethnicity in the context of disease risk including potential consequences in the context of treatment and preventive medicine.

 

Skills:

  • Read, evaluate and interpret results of original scientific reports on different (ethnic) populations, (disease) exposures, and diseases relevant to the course;
  • Critically evaluate international standards of disease diagnosis by national and international bodies of health;
  • Present results of scientific reports on ethnicity and chronic disease in a clear and sober manner. This includes evaluating ethnic admixture and its possible influence on the conclusions of the analyses given in the scientific reports.

 

Competences:

  • Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease to academia within health and medical courses in epidemiology, clinical and basic science;
  • Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease to health institutions and organisations and implement these for the purpose of optimising disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment;