This course will provide you with an overview of the most important health challenges facing the world today. You will gain insight into how challenges have changed over time, we will discuss the likely determinants of such changes and examine future projections. Successful international strategies and programs promoting human health will be highlighted and global health governance structures will be mapped and the role of the key actors explored.
Offered By
An Introduction to Global Health
University of CopenhagenAbout this Course
35,287 recent views
Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
31%
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.
Approx. 16 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Skills you will gain
Maternal Child HealthReproductive HealthPublic HealthCommunity Health
Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
31%
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.
Approx. 16 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Defining and Measuring Global Health
Welcome to the first module of this global health course. In the first lesson we will introduce you to the overall concepts and definitions of global health and examine the question "What are the biggest global health challenges?". You'll get to hear some answers from fellow learners from around the world, and also have an opportunity to join the conversation here in the course discussion forums. We also have an interview with Professor Susan Whyte about the impact of health policy on a population's health. The second lesson deals with the central tools needed to measure global health burden. Together these two lessons will form the basis on which all the other topical modules are built. Enjoy!
3 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 97 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
1.2: Voxpop - What is the biggest global health challenge? (Your fellow students)1m
1.3: How Changing Policies Impact Population's Health (S Whyte)15m
2.1: Epidemiological and Demographic Transition (DW Meyrowitsch)18m
2.2: Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) (DW Meyrowitsch)9m
2.3: Global Burden of Diseases (DW Meyrowitsch)19m
2.4: Disease-specific Risk Factors, part 1 (IC Bygbjerg)9m
2.5: Disease-specific Risk Factors, part 2 (IC Bygbjerg)12m
3 readings
Course Information10m
Suggested readings and resources10m
Suggested readings and resources10m
1 practice exercise
Defining and Measuring Global Health20m
2 hours to complete
Infectious Diseases
The second module of this course is focussed on infectious diseases. Lesson 3 will introduce you to the concept of infectious diseases and their relation to poverty and development, and lesson 4 will go through three prominent examples of infectious diseases that are still unfinished agendas in large parts of the world.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 63 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
5 videos
3.2: Infectious Diseases, part 2 (IC Bygbjerg)7m
4.1: Infectious Diarrheal Diseases (S Tulsani)12m
4.2: Malaria - The Transition (L Hviid)14m
4.3: HIV in Global Health (J Lundgren)15m
2 readings
Suggested readings and resources10m
Suggested readings and resources10m
2 practice exercises
Online Activity: Infectious Diseases and Development Goals8m
Infectious Diseases20m
2 hours to complete
Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries
In the third module we'll have a closer look at non-communicable diseases, in short NCDs, and examine the forces that are behind the global epidemic rise of NCDs such as diabetes. The module also includes a lesson about mental health and injuries - two major global health challenges that are often ignored when dealing with NCDs.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 91 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
7 videos
5.2: The Global Burden of Disease - The Rise of NCDs (AR Demaio)15m
5.3: Determinants and Drivers of NCDs (AR Demaio)8m
5.4: Diabetes (V Narayan)17m
5.5: Joint Risk Factors (IC Bygbjerg)14m
6.1: Mental Health in a Global Perspective (M Muijen)11m
6.2: Pesticides and Self Harm in Sri Lanka (M Eddleston)10m
2 readings
Suggested readings and resources10m
Suggested readings and resources10m
3 practice exercises
Online Activity: Air Pollution4m
Online Activity: Road Traffic Injuries4m
Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries20m
3 hours to complete
Maternal and Child Health
This fourth module deals with maternal and child health. The first focus will be on the important, and at times controversial, topic of sexual and reproductive health and rights, often shortened to SRHR. This is followed by a short lesson focussed on child health.
3 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 70 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
7.2: Components of Sexual and Reproductive Health (BL Sørensen)18m
7.3: The Role of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (E Dupont)12m
7.4: Abortion Stigma (T Gammeltoft)9m
8.1: mHealth in Reproductive and Child Health (S Lund)10m
8.2: Continuum of Care (C Schmiegelow)10m
3 readings
Suggested readings and resources10m
Suggested readings and resources10m
Join our challenge: Help us reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!10m
1 practice exercise
Maternal and Child Health14m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM AN INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL HEALTH
by UDJul 3, 2019
This course has covered a wide range of global health topics in an understandable form. I am very satisfied by completing the course but of course with loads of thoughts on the varied issues.
by COJun 8, 2016
Great material taught by such experienced professors and professionals in the area. Wonderful to increase your knowledge in this field, an area where there still so much to be done!
by AVApr 18, 2017
A very informational course. Gives a good overview of the concept. Only if they add recent developments and updates on infectious diseases like Zika and Ebola, it would be great.
by AAJan 12, 2017
Very interesting course. The classes discuss broad topics with excellent specialists in different fields. I do recommend this course to anyone interested in Public Health.
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.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
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.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
