Introduction to Global Health

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the major global health challenges, programs and policies that countries throughout the world make decisions about on a day-to-day basis. Students are introduced to the differences in global health status and disease prevalence and many of the factors that play a role in the reasons why some countries are able to eradicate disease more easily than others. Political, monetary and ideological values, as well as environmental factors, all play a role in creating health disparities globally. Discussion includes why people in some countries are healthier than those in others and why there are differences in resource allocation among these countries. Students are introduced to principal global health concepts such as the burden of disease, epidemiology, policy analysis and comparative health systems. Students learn to differentiate problems across countries and use learned skills to problem solve and communicate policy goals.