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.
An Introduction to Global Health
Offered By
University of Copenhagen
About this Course
4.7
714 ratings
Skills you will gain
Maternal Child HealthReproductive HealthPublic HealthCommunity Health
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1Defining 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!
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
Week
2Infectious 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.
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
Week
3Non-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.
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
Week
4Maternal 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.
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
4.7
81 Reviews36%
started a new career after completing these courses
28%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
10%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
By AA•Jan 13th 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.
By RR•Mar 19th 2018
I really learnt alot on introduction to global health, from learning the greatest challenges in healthcare to Global burden of diseases. The course was quite helpful.
Instructor
Flemming Konradsen
Professor, DirectorCopenhagen School of Global Health
About 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
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.
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Is financial aid available?
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