About this Course

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What are the world’s major health challenges?  What contributes to them?  What can we do to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities?  
Whether you are new to Global Health, want to take a refresher course, or want to sample Global Health before undertaking undergraduate or graduate study in the field, The Challenge of Global Health is designed to provide a comprehensive but concise foundation for understanding Global Health problems and solutions. 

Taught by Dr. David Boyd, an award-winning professor at Duke University’s Global Health Institute (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB4xBBzNxVQ), the course combines lectures with videos shot around the world and interviews with some of the world’s foremost Global Health experts.

Learner Career Outcomes

40%

started a new career after completing these courses

48%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

12%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.83/5 (166 Ratings)

Dr. David Boyd

Hymowitz Family Professor of the Practice of Global Health

Duke Global Health Institute

41,393 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

40%

started a new career after completing these courses

48%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

12%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(4,096 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Getting Started

Start here!

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 6 min), 4 readings

2 videos

Why Should You Take This Course?2m

Before We Get Started3m

4 readings

About the Course10m

About the Instructor10m

Online Resources10m

Important Note on Data and Metrics10m

Week

2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Basic Concepts in Global Health

This module covers some of the most important basic concept that you need to know to understand global health. In particular we will focus on key terminology and the determinants underlying health and disease.

6 hours to complete

15 videos (Total 253 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

15 videos

Introduction and Around the World with Dr. Boyd4m

Welcome to My Office!2m

Why is Global Health Important?13m

A Biopsychosocial Approach to Global Health Solutions, Part 120m

A Biopsychosocial Approach to Global Health Solutions, Part 217m

What is the Current Global Burden of Disease? Part I8m

What is the Current Global Burden of Disease? Part II26m

What Causes Global Health Disease Burden?17m

Cultural Competence and Determinants of Health21m

What are the Roles of Environment and Nutrition? Part I12m

What are the Roles of Environment and Nutrition? Part II13m

Direct and Indirect Effects of Food on World Health35m

Environment and Health, Part 126m

Environment and Health, Part 222m

What is the Goal of Global Health?11m

5 readings

Week 2 Resources10m

Dr. Michael Merson10m

Dr. Bethzaida Fernandez10m

Dr. Kelly Brownell10m

Dr. William Pan10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz: Basic Concepts in Global Health30m

Week

3

Week 3

8 hours to complete

Understanding the Key Global Health Challenges

This module focuses on examining the causes and distribution of infectious disease, noncommunicable disease, injury/violence/disaster, and MCH (maternal and child health).

8 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 347 min), 11 readings, 1 quiz

21 videos

Introduction and Around the World with Dr. Boyd7m

What is the Global Health "Unholy Trinity" of Infectious Disease20m

What are the Plebeians and Stealth Bombs of Infectious Disease? Part 16m

What are the Plebeians and Stealth Bombs of Infectious Disease? Part 212m

Understanding Why Zika Is So Important8m

Malaria: Why Would I Want to Work on Anything Else?22m

Taking a One Health Approach, Part 126m

Taking a One Health Approach, Part 221m

COVID-19 in Latin America19m

What are Non-Communicable Diseases and Why are They on the Rise?9m

What are the Chief NCD Challenges of Global Health?14m

Public Enemy: Metabolic Syndrome27m

The Growing Challenge of NCDs15m

Cancer as a Global Health Issue12m

Mental Health in a Cultural Context, Part 114m

Mental Health in a Cultural Context, Part 220m

Why Does Global Health Pay Particular Attention to Women and Children?13m

Demystifying Women's Health12m

Using Research and Technology to Tackle Maternal Health Challenges20m

Are Injury, Violence and Disaster Significant Global Health Issues?14m

Road Traffic Injury: The Perfect Storm26m

11 readings

Week 3 Resources10m

Dr. Christopher Plowe10m

Dr. Christopher Woods10m

Dr. Ricardo Fabrega10m

Dr. Gary Bennett10m

Dr. Gerald Bloomfield10m

Dr. Nelson Chao10m

Dr. Brandon Kohrt10m

Dr. Nimmi Ramunajam10m

Dr. Eric Green10m

Dr. Catherine Staton10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz: Understanding the Key Global Health Challenges30m

Week

4

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Actors & Action: Finding Global Health Solutions

This module explores the main global health actors, how they work, and what strategies they use to improve global health outcomes and to solve global health problems.

4 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 153 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

Introduction and Around the World with Dr. Boyd6m

Who are the Key Actors in Global Health, Part 113m

Who are the Key Actors in Global Health, Part 211m

Malaria Surveillance: Research=Hope26m

How Do We Implement Best Practices in Global Health?21m

How do Actors Implement Global Health Best Practices? Part 112m

How do Actors Implement Global Health Best Practices? Part 29m

Cost, Quality, and Access to Care16m

What are Some "Best Practices" for Improving Global Health?11m

Policy is Key to Progress in Global Health21m

5 readings

Week 4 Resources10m

Dr. Myaing Nyunt10m

Dr. Shenglan Tang10m

Dr. Krishna Udayakumar10m

Dr. Gavin Yamey10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz: Actors & Action: Finding Global Health Solutions30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I receive a transcript from Duke University for completing this course?
No. Completion of a Coursera course does not earn you academic credit from Duke; therefore, Duke is not able to provide you with a university transcript. However, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

The Challenges of Global Health