An Introduction to Global Health

University of Copenhagen

About this Course

21,102 recent views

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.

Learner Career Outcomes

38%

started a new career after completing these courses

28%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

11%

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. 19 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

28%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

11%

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. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.72/5 (81 Ratings)

Flemming Konradsen

Professor, Director

Copenhagen School of Global Health

41,840 Learners

2 Courses

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

Content Rating98%(5,471 ratings)

Week

Week 1

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

1.1: Welcome to the Course (F Konradsen)9m

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

1 practice exercise

Defining and Measuring Global Health30m

Week

Week 2

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

3.1: Infectious Diseases, part 1 (IC Bygbjerg)12m

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

2 practice exercises

Online Activity: Infectious Diseases and Development Goals30m

Infectious Diseases30m

Week

Week 3

3 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.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 91 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes

7 videos

5.1: NCDs explained (AR Demaio)12m

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

3 practice exercises

Online Activity: Air Pollution30m

Online Activity: Road Traffic Injuries30m

Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries30m

Week

Week 4

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

7.1: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (S Tellier)10m

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

Join our challenge: Help us reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!10m

1 practice exercise

Maternal and Child Health30m

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Environment, Climate and Migration

In the fifth module we are looking at some great global crises that profoundly impact the health of populations, namely environment, climate change, and migration. We will examine the health acpect of these mega trends - how are they influencing and challenging policy, health systems, and the health of individuals in both low and high income countries?

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 77 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

9.1: Environmental Health Challenges (F Konradsen)15m

9.2: Main Environmental Challenges (R Bos)13m

9.3: Climate Change and Health (P Furu)18m

10.1: Refugees and Internally Displaced (S Tellier)9m

10.2: Migrants and Health (S Tellier)10m

10.3: Migration and Health in a Scandinavian Context (M Nørredam)9m

2 readings

Suggested readings and resources10m

1 practice exercise

Environment, Climate and Migration30m

Week

Week 6

2 hours to complete

Food and Water

Access to nutrituous food and clean water are fundamental to health and wellbeing. In the sixth module we are focussing on the role of nutrition and water, with some extra attention to the important role of sanitation and hygiene and their relation to human development.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 50 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

11.1: Nutrition and Infectious Diseases (H Friis)14m

11.2: Diabetes and Maternal and Child Health (KK Nielsen)6m

12.1: Sanitation and Development Goals (S Cairncross)13m

12.2: Diseases Related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (W van Der Hoek)14m

2 readings

Suggested readings and resources10m

2 practice exercises

Online Activity: Childhood Malnutrition30m

Food and Water30m

Week

Week 7

3 hours to complete

Health Systems and Global Health Governance

In this final module of the course we will go full circle, with lessons about the role of health systems and the impact of policy. The last lesson of the course will focus on global health governance and the health aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 93 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

13.1: NCDs and Health Care Systems (G Galea)11m

13.2: Financing Universal Health Coverage (A Bjerrum)15m

13.3: Health Care Facilities in Burkina Faso (H Samuelsen)8m

13.4: Health Systems in Fragile States (TA Dræbel)22m

13.5 Medical Tourism16m

14.1: Global Health Governance (S Tellier)9m

14.2: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (K Mauer-Stender)9m

5 readings

Suggested readings and resources10m

Keep in touch10m

Learning More10m

Lecturers10m

2 practice exercises

Online Activity: Framework for Health Systems30m

Health Systems and Global Health Governance30m

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 earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

An Introduction to Global Health