SGLK13003U Health and Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Societies

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Global Health - compulsory
Content

In this module, global distribution, and burden, of disease and health will be addressed -particularly in relation to vulnerable populations and ages such as women, children, and the elderly. 

Communicable and non-communicable diseases and how they may interact and be addressed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, will be addressed; as well as injuries and accidents. Living conditions, life styles, major health determinants, and risk factors (including environmental and climate related) will be linked to health and disease. Mental health and physical health, and their relations, will be studied in a cross-disciplinary approach as a preparation for Module V (Health systems).

Principles of screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation will be studied for some major health problems and diseases, and as an introduction to Module VI (Disease prevention and health promotion). Similarly, principles of hygiene, sanitation, healthy nutrition and living will be studied - in general, for specific health problems, and as an introduction to Module VI.

While the focus will be on major health problems in low- and middle income countries and societies, the advantage of having access to Danish health institutions and registries and data bases, as well as international headquarters and institutions in the Copenhagen area, will be drawn upon.

Learning Outcome

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • Analyse, describe and list current patterns of health and disease globally and by region, with emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. This includes basic knowledge on communicable as well as non-communicable diseases, trauma and injuries, health related to age and life-stage including reproductive health, and listing principles in health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation
  • Understand and illustrate major risk factors and determinants for health and disease with emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. This includes living conditions; socio-economic as well as environmental conditions; (epi)genetic and cultural determinants; and risk factors such as life-style, substance (ab)use and other health-related exposures. The student must also be able to identify and discuss proven and potential interactions of health problems, and the ‘double’ or ‘triple burden of disease’.
  • Analyse and critically examine data on health and disease from low- & middle-income countries and from high-income countries, and discuss and criticize previous and current priorities in global and local health policies, including ‘vertical’ vs. ‘horizontal’ approaches to health interventions.
  • Argue for and develop a prediction of patterns of health and major diseases globally beyond 2015, based on emerging and actual changes in climate, environment, demography and wealth, and envisage how health may be impacted.   

 

Cross-disciplinary teaching and problem-oriented learning will enable the students to work professionally for improving global health, with emphasis on health, diseases and development in low- and middle-income societies. Teaching and learning will be research-based, and highlight areas, which the academic staff and their collaborators are actively researching into in various parts of the world. The teaching methods will include a combination of formal lectures, class and field-based group exercises and problem-related teaching and learning, seminars, case studies, essay and computer exercises. Journal clubs and blogs will allow students to read, interpret and discuss selected scientific articles and cases. Visits to institutions, laboratories, data bases and registers will expose the students to ‘real-world’ situations, albeit mostly in Denmark.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Lectures
  • 37
  • Practical exercises
  • 6
  • Preparation
  • 155
  • Theory exercises
  • 6
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes
Preparation time: 30 minutes.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed

All – excluding devices connected to the internet.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

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

  • Analyse, describe and list current patterns of health and disease globally and by region, with emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. This includes basic knowledge on communicable as well as non-communicable diseases, trauma and injuries, health related to age and life-stage including reproductive health, and listing principles in health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation
  • Describe and explain major risk factors and determinants for health and disease with emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. This includes living conditions; socio-economic as well as environmental conditions; (epi)genetic and cultural determinants; and risk factors such as life-style, substance (ab)use and other health-related exposures.
  • Identify and discuss proven and potential interactions of health problems, and the ‘double’ or ‘triple burden of disease’.
  • Analyse and critically examine data on health and disease from low- & middle-income countries and from high-income countries, and discuss and criticize previous and current priorities in global and local health policies, including ‘vertical’ vs. ‘horizontal’ approaches to health interventions.
  • Argue for and develop a prediction of patterns of health and major diseases globally beyond 2015, based on emerging and actual changes in climate, environment, demography and wealth, and envisage how health may be impacted.