Global Public Health

An intermediate-level course by the Public Health Foundation of India through SDGAcademyX

Course Description

Global Public Health is a comprehensive program that delves into the intricate relationship between individual health and its far-reaching effects on the world. The course explores how health is influenced by various factors such as the environment, food systems, energy security, transport, trade, and human migration. It also highlights the positive impact of health investments on economic development and its crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

What Students Will Learn

  • Understanding of demographic and epidemiological transitions
  • Current and future trends in public health, including non-communicable diseases
  • The impact of global factors on collective wellness
  • Infrastructure and institutions shaping the healthcare industry
  • The interconnection between health and sustainable development
  • The role of health in poverty reduction, gender empowerment, and conflict resolution

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. However, a basic understanding of health concepts and an interest in global issues would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

  • Introduction to Public Health and its history
  • Multiple determinants of health
  • Evolution of Global Public Health
  • Measuring health status
  • Demographic and epidemiological transitions
  • Economics and equity in health
  • Globalization's impact on public health
  • Infectious diseases and their changing patterns
  • Maternal and child health
  • Non-communicable diseases
  • Health systems and their financing
  • Environment and health, including climate change
  • Public health challenges in the 21st century

Who This Course Is For

  1. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in public health, international development, public policy, nursing, medicine, and related fields
  2. Healthcare professionals seeking to understand their work within the broader context of international policy and sustainable development
  3. Sustainable development practitioners working in international aid organizations and nonprofits focused on healthcare, poverty, and nutrition

Real-World Applications

  1. Developing and implementing public health policies and programs
  2. Addressing global health challenges in diverse cultural and economic contexts
  3. Collaborating with international organizations on sustainable development initiatives
  4. Improving healthcare systems and infrastructure in developing countries
  5. Conducting research on emerging public health trends and their global impact
  6. Advocating for health equity and universal health coverage
  7. Designing interventions to address non-communicable diseases and maternal-child health issues
  8. Mitigating the health impacts of climate change and environmental factors

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to Public Health
  2. Trends in Public Health
  3. Infectious Diseases
  4. Maternal and Child Health
  5. Non-Communicable Diseases – Part I
  6. Non-Communicable Diseases – Part II
  7. Health Systems – Part I
  8. Health Systems – Part II
  9. Environment and Health
  10. Public Health in the 21st Century

By enrolling in this Global Public Health course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between health, sustainable development, and global progress. This knowledge will empower them to contribute meaningfully to the field of public health and drive positive change on a global scale.