Back to Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems
Johns Hopkins University

Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems

Welcome to our course on Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems for Global Health. During the course we will provide you with an overview of the main elements or building blocks of a health system based on the World Health Organization’s guidance. You will have the opportunity to explore four main areas of health systems in global health with particular reference to low and middle income countries. The first area focuses on understanding health service organizations, the challenges. Our second module looks at WHO’s six major building blocks or health systems components with particular reference to primary health care and the need for community participation in planning, delivery and assessment of these systems components. in our third module we examine the specific systems component of human resource development and capacity building. The fourth area consists of health policy making and advocacy with stakeholders. This course is geared toward learners who are already involved in managing health and development programs on the ground in low and middle income countries or who are preparing for such a management role. The main lectures will span a four-week period with approximately 2-4 hours of viewing learning materials per week. We have one peer graded essay wherein you will use skills in ‘organizational’ diagnosis to better understand a challenge in an organization where you are or have worked. There are also quizzes. We hope you will engage with your fellow learners in discussion forums to learn from each other.

Status: Community Health
Status: Advocacy
BeginnerCourse15 hours

Featured reviews

LL

4.0Reviewed Apr 16, 2020

Very interesting and broad course with also clear examplesSometimes I wished less repetitionSome technical problems still there (slides/speech matching) but not too impairing for the learning process

MD

5.0Reviewed Jan 19, 2019

I learned a lot about how to analyze where an organization is struggling in order to create needed changes. Thanks to the instructors!

RG

5.0Reviewed Jul 18, 2024

It is an experience going through the course. I have much to relate on the course with the shared other other organizational Diagnosis

MD

4.0Reviewed Feb 8, 2021

I feel the structure was set up very well, and it did flow. I am hoping to never hear the word guinea worm ever again though. Looking forward to the next course.

BM

5.0Reviewed Sep 25, 2020

A well packaged course with practical real life examples, i find it very relevant to my field of practice.

AK

5.0Reviewed Sep 7, 2018

Informative and challenging to re-think current approaches to public health systems strengthening

NK

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2018

This a very interesting course highlighting key components in order effectively organize to tackle issues facing health systems at large . I highly recommend it

AO

5.0Reviewed Jul 1, 2019

Logical and educative. Strongly recommended to other public health professionals

MO

4.0Reviewed Dec 20, 2018

A very useful and practical course. It delivers practical examples in real life situations.

XA

5.0Reviewed Jul 16, 2021

This course gave me a strong starting foundation of health systems and their surrounding variables.

H

5.0Reviewed Mar 22, 2020

Very useful information for understanding health care services structure and operations

SB

4.0Reviewed Jul 23, 2025

The course was really fun and insightful. I was taken aback a bit by how outdated the content was however, it was truly insightful.

All reviews

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Reviewed Jul 21, 2018
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