SGLK15001U Global Health and Diseases; Introduction and Major Challenges

Volume 2015/2016
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 (LMIC), 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 Health systems module and field module. Impact of health problems in LMIC on health in high income countries will also be adressed.

Principles of screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation will be studied for some major health problems and diseases, and as an introduction to Prevention and health promotion module. Similarly, principles of hygiene, sanitation, healthy nutrition and living will be studied - in general, for specific health problems, and as an introduction to following modules.

While the focus will be on major health problems in LMIC, 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, the students should be able to:

Knowledge 
• Describe and list current patterns of health and disease globally and by region, with emphasis on low- & middle-income countries and societies, and how they may impact high-income countries, and vice-versa. 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

Skills

 • list principles in health promotion, prevention, management and rehabilitation regarding major health problems and diseases in low- & middle-income countries and societies;

 • list major risk factors and determinants for health and disease with emphasis on low- & middle-income countries, such as life-style and living conditions, socio-economic as well as environmental changes.

 Competencies

  • Discuss, analyze 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 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.

 

 

Literature

A texbook of Global health will serve as basic literature, currently Merson, Black, Mills: Global health:diseases, programs, systems, and policies, 3.rd ed. Additional literature will be uploaded from individual teachers.

Please see general criteria for admission to the MSCGH
Please see general criteria for admission to the MSCGH
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 and case studies. Journal clubs 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.
Elective students from other masters studies may be admitted after application and approval by the Study board, but currently no more than 4.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Exam Preparation
  • 2
  • Exercises
  • 15
  • Lectures
  • 37
  • Practical Training
  • 12
  • Preparation
  • 139
  • 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
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 must be able to:

Knowledge
• Describe and list current patterns of health and disease globally and by region, with emphasis on low- & middle-income countries and societies. 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

Skills

• list principles in health promotion, prevention, management and rehabilitation regarding major health problems and diseases in low- & middle-income countries and societies;

• list major risk factors and determinants for health and disease with emphasis on low- & middle-income countries, such as life-style and living conditions, socio-economic as well as environmental changes.

Competencies

• Discuss, analyze 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 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.