Introduction to Chronic Diseases in Global Health

Catalog description

This course will provide an introduction to chronic disease. The major groups of chronic diseases that will be discussed in this course include cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, major forms of cancer, diseases of the respiratory tract, metabolic and digestive diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, it will describe the major causes of chronic disease morbidity and mortality around the world, and how the risk of disease varies with regions. It will discuss major public health efforts to reduce disparities in chronic health around the world. Students will have the opportunity to develop country reports on specific chronic diseases, reports of global and public health efforts within those countries, as well as demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities for specific health interventions and create evidence-based programs aimed at chronic diseases with a focus on cultural values, integration of community assets and resources, and utilization of the expertise of identified global health professional and groups with similar interests.