Essentials of Global Health

About this course: Essentials of Global Health is a comprehensive introduction to global health. It is meant to introduce you to this topic in well-structured, clear and easy to understand ways. Much of the course will focus on five questions: What do people get sick, disabled and die from; Why do they suffer from these conditions? Which people are most affected? Why should we care about such concerns? What can be done to address key health issues, hopefully at least cost, as fast as possible, and in sustainable ways? The course will be global in coverage but with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, the health of the poor, and health disparities. Particular attention will be paid throughout the course to health systems issues, the linkages between health and development, and health matters related to global interdependence. The course will cover key concepts and frameworks but be practical in orientation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Course Learning Objectives By the end of the course, learners should be able to: • Articulate key public health concepts related to global health; • Analyze the key issues in global health from a number of perspectives; • Discuss with confidence the burden of disease in various regions of the world; how it varies by sex, age, and location; key risk factors for this burden; and how the disease burden can be addressed in cost-effective ways; • Assess key health disparities, especially as they relate to the health of low-income and marginalized people in low- and middle-income countries; • Outline the key actors and organizations in global health and the manner in which they cooperate to address critical global health concerns; • Review key global health challenges that are likely to arise in the coming decades. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Added of the Course The course seeks to add special value by being comprehensive, by handling each topic in a consistent framework, and by helping learners gain an understanding of well grounded approaches to assessing global health issues and what can be done to address them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Readings and other materials for Essentials of Global Health For almost every session of Essentials of Global Health, you will see: - Required readings - Recommended readings - Recommended videos We have selected a small number of readings for each session that are central to understanding the content of the session. We have put these under “required readings”. For each required reading, we have also indicated how carefully you should read the material and on what parts of the material you should focus your attention. In addition, we have selected some additional readings that would be very helpful to your understanding the content of each session. The first is a textbook, Global Health 101, third edition. This is a comprehensive introductory textbook that closely follows the content of this Essentials of Global Health course. We have indicated for each session what part of the book you should read. Using this textbook can be very valuable to your mastering the content of the course. The second set of “recommended readings” is some additional readings, mostly from journal articles and reports. For these, too, we have indicated how carefully you should read the material and on what parts of the material you should focus your attention. Learners should note that to access articles from The Lancet they will have to register with the Lancet, if they do not have online access to a library that has The Lancet. Once they are registered, they will be able to sign into The Lancet and access all of its free articles. We have also indicated for most sessions one or two videos that relate to the topic of the session. These are meant to help the learner get a better feel for the topic which is being covered. Most learners will find the videos brief, easy and enjoyable to watch, and very enlightening.

Created by:  Yale University

• Taught by:  Richard Skolnik, Former Lecturer, Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health and Lecturer in the Practice of Management, Yale School of Management, 2012-2016

Commitment 5-7 hours per week. Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.9 stars Average User Rating 4.9See what learners said Coursework

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Module 1: Introduction



This module introduces you to the course, some of the basic concepts of global health, and a number of key perspectives for considering global health issues. This module will also introduce you to the key actors in global health and the different ways in which they are organized and function.


4 videos, 10 readings expand

1. Reading: About this course
2. Reading: Meet your instructor
3. Video: Course Introduction
4. Slideshow: Course Introduction
5. Discussion Prompt: Thinking about Global Health
6. Reading: (Required) Koplan et al, "Towards a Common Definition of Global Health"
7. Reading: (Required) Fried et al, Global Health is Public Health
8. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, "The Principles and Goals of Global Health"
9. Reading: (Recommended) Jamison, DT, et al. "Global Health 2035: A World Converging within a Generation."
10. Discussion Prompt: Global Health
11. Discussion Prompt: The Importance of Global Health
12. Video: Key Perspectives on Global Health and Determinants of Health
13. Slideshow: Key Perspectives on Global Health
14. Reading: (Required) Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH)
15. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, "Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends"
16. Discussion Prompt: Determinants of health
17. Discussion Prompt: The social determinants of health
18. Video: Social Determinants of Health
19. Video: The Global Health Context and Who Plays
20. Slideshow: The Global Health Context and Who Plays
21. Reading: (Required) Major players in development cooperation for global health
22. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, “Working Together to Improve Global Health”
23. Discussion Prompt: Key Actors

Graded: Key Perspectives on Global Health
Graded: The Global Health Context and Who Plays

WEEK 2


Module 2: The Burden of Disease



Module 2 focuses on the “burden of disease”. It first examines the state of the world’s health. It then introduces you to key demographic factors and how they relate to global health. It concludes with several sessions that examine what people get sick, disabled and die from and to what risk factors and determinants these conditions can be attributed.


8 videos, 14 readings expand

1. Video: The State of the World’s Health
2. Slideshow: The State of the World’s Health
3. Reading: (Required) “World Health Statistics 2016: Monitoring Health for the SDGs.”
4. Reading: (Required) “Health, Nutrition, and Population Statistics.”
5. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, “Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends”
6. Discussion Prompt: State of the World’s Health
7. Video: Demography and Health (Part 1)
8. Video: Demography and Health (Part 2)
9. Slideshow: Demography and Global Health
10. Reading: (Required) Haupt A, Kane TT, and Haub C. Population Reference Bureau’s Population Handbook
11. Reading: (Required) Kaneda T and Bietsch K. 2015 World Population Data Sheet.
12. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, "Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends"
13. Discussion Prompt: Demography and Health
14. Video: The DALY
15. Slideshow: The Burden of Disease – The DALY
16. Reading: (Required) Chen A, Jacobsen KH, Deshmukh AA, and Cantor SB. "The Evolution of the Disability-adjusted Life Year (DALY)."
17. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, "Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends"
18. Discussion Prompt: The DALY
19. Video: What Do People get Sick, Disabled, and Die From? (Part 1)
20. Video: What Do People get Sick, Disabled, and Die From? (Part 2)
21. Video: What Do People get Sick, Disabled, and Die From? (Part 3)
22. Slideshow: What Do People Get Sick, Disabled, and Die From?
23. Reading: (Required) The Global Burden of Disease: Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy
24. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, “Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends”
25. Discussion Prompt: The Burden of Disease
26. Video: Key Risk Factors
27. Slideshow: Key Risk Factors for Deaths and DALYs
28. Reading: (Required) The Global Burden of Disease: Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy
29. Reading: (Required) Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare.
30. Reading: (Required) Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Heatmap.
31. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, "Health Determinants, Measurements, and Trends"
32. Discussion Prompt: Key Risk Factors

Graded: The State of the World’s Health
Graded: Demography and Global Health
Graded: The Burden of Disease – The DALY
Graded: What Do People Get Sick, Disabled, and Die From?
Graded: Key Risk Factors for Deaths and DALYs

WEEK 3


Module 3: Health Systems and Value for Money in Health



Module 3 focuses on health systems. It first examines the notion of “value for money” in considering investments in health. It then reviews how health systems in different parts of the world are organized; some of the issues they face in effectively and efficiently providing appropriate services of acceptable quality; and what we are learning can be done to address those issues in cost-effective ways.


7 videos, 8 readings expand

1. Video: Value for Money in Global Health
2. Slideshow: Value for Money in Global Health
3. Reading: (Required) Yazbeck AS. An Idiot’s Guide to Prioritization in the Health Sector.”
4. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 3- “Health, Education, Poverty, and the Economy.”
5. Discussion Prompt: Value for Money in Global Health
6. Video: The Organization and Aims of Health Systems (Part 1)
7. Video: The Organization and Aims of Health Systems (Part 2)
8. Slideshow: The Organization and Aims of Health Systems
9. Reading: (Required) World Health Organization. World Health Report 2000- Health Systems: Improving Performance.
10. Reading: (Required) World Health Organization. Health Systems Financing: The Path to Universal Coverage.
11. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 5- “An Introduction to Health Systems”
12. Discussion Prompt: The Organization and Aims of Health Systems
13. Video: Ethical Priority Setting in Health - Ole Norheim
14. Video: Health Expenditure, the Quest for UHC, and Pharmaceuticals (Part 1)
15. Video: Health Expenditure, the Quest for UHC, and Pharmaceuticals (Part 2)
16. Video: Health Expenditure, the Quest for UHC, and Pharmaceuticals (Part 3)
17. Slideshow: Health Expenditure, the Quest for UHC, and Pharmaceuticals
18. Reading: (Required) Latko B, et al. "The Growing Movement for Universal Health Coverage."
19. Reading: (Required) Kumar, AS, et al. "Financing Health Care for All: Challenges and Opportunities."
20. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 5- “Introduction to Health Systems”
21. Discussion Prompt: Universal Health Coverage
22. Discussion Prompt: Access to Essential Medicines

Graded: Value for Money in Global Health
Graded: The Organization and Aims of Health Systems
Graded: Health Expenditure, the Quest for UHC, and Pharmaceuticals

WEEK 4


Module 4: Cross-Cutting Themes in Global Health - Part I



Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.


8 videos, 8 readings expand

1. Video: Health Disparities (Part 1)
2. Video: Health Disparities (Part 2)
3. Slideshow: Health Disparities
4. Reading: (Required) Gwatkin DR, et al. Socio-economic Differences in Health, Nutrition, and Population within Developing Countries.
5. Reading: (Required) UNICEF. Progress for Children: Achieving the MDGs with Equity.
6. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 3- “Health, Education, Poverty, and the Economy”
7. Discussion Prompt: Health and Equity
8. Video: The Environment and Health and Climate Change and Health (Part 1)
9. Video: The Environment and Health and Climate Change and Health (Part 2)
10. Slideshow: The Environment and Health and Climate Change and Health
11. Reading: (Required) Pruss-Ustun A, et al. Preventing Disease Through Healthy Environments: A global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks.
12. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 7- “The Environment and Health”
13. Discussion Prompt: The Environment and Health
14. Video: Nutrition and Global Health (Part 1)
15. Video: Nutrition and Global Health (Part 2)
16. Video: Nutrition and Global Health (Part 3)
17. Video: Nutrition and Global Health (Part 4)
18. Slideshow: Nutrition and Global Health
19. Reading: (Required) International Food Policy Research Institute. Global Nutrition Report 2015: Actions and Accountability to Advance Nutrition and Sustainable Development.
20. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 8-“Nutrition and Global Health”
21. Reading: (Recommended) Mother and Child Nutrition
22. Discussion Prompt: Nutrition and Global Health

Graded: Health Disparities
Graded: The Environment and Health and Climate Change and Health
Graded: Nutrition and Global Health

WEEK 5


Module 4: Cross-Cutting Themes in Global Health - Part II



Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.


6 videos, 10 readings expand

1. Video: Women’s Health Part 1
2. Video: Women's Health Part 2
3. Video: Women’s Health - Sadia Chowdhury
4. Slideshow: Women’s Health
5. Reading: (Required) Bustreo, Flavia. “A Short Commentary: Ten Top Issues on Women’s Health.” Promoting health through the life-course.
6. Reading: (Required) WHO. Fact Sheet: Women’s Health. Media Center.
7. Reading: (Required) Smith R, et al. Family Planning Saves Lives.
8. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnic, Chapter 9- “Women’s Health”
9. Discussion Prompt: Women and Global Health
10. Video: Child Health
11. Slideshow: Children's Health
12. Reading: (Required) Liu L, et al. "Global, Regional, and National Causes of Child Mortality in 2000–13, with Projections to Inform Post-2015 Priorities: An Updated Systematic Analysis."
13. Reading: (Required) Bhutta ZA, et al. "Can Available Interventions End Preventable Deaths in Mothers, Newborn Babies, and Stillbirths, and at What Cost?"
14. Reading: (Required) UNICEF Division of Policy and Strategy. Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed, Progress Report 2013.
15. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 10- “The Health of Young Children”
16. Discussion Prompt: The Health of Children
17. Video: Childhood Immunization
18. Video: Childhood Immunization – Bob Davis
19. Slideshow: Childhood Immunization
20. Reading: (Required) World Health Organization. Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2030.
21. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 10- “The Health of Young Children”
22. Discussion Prompt: Childhood Immunization

Graded: Women’s Health
Graded: Child Health
Graded: Childhood Immunization

WEEK 6


Module 4: Cross-Cutting Themes in Global Health - Part III



Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.


3 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Video: Adolescent Health (Part 1)
2. Video: Adolescent Health (Part 2)
3. Slideshow: Adolescent Health
4. Reading: (Required) Dick B, et al. “Health for the World’s Adolescents: A Second Chance in the Second Decade.”
5. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 11- “Adolescent Health”
6. Discussion Prompt: Adolescent Health
7. Video: Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
8. Slideshow: Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
9. Reading: (Required) Toole MJ and Waldman RJ. "The Public Health Aspects of Complex Emergencies and Refugee Situations." 
10. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 15- “Natural Disasters and Complex Humanitarian Emergencies”
11. Reading: (Recommended) “The Sphere Handbook.” Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards
12. Discussion Prompt: Complex Humanitarian Emergencies and Natural Disasters

Graded: Adolescent Health
Graded: Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

WEEK 7


Module 5: Critical Causes of Illness and Death - Part I



Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.


5 videos, 13 readings expand

1. Video: Emerging and Remerging ID and Anti-microbial Resistance
2. Slideshow: Emerging and Remerging ID and Anti-microbial Resistance
3. Reading: (Required) n DM, Folkers GM, and Fauci AS. "The Challenge of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases."
4. Reading: (Required) Laxminarayan R, et al. "Antibiotic Resistance—the Need for Global Solutions."
5. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 12- “Communicable Diseases”
6. Discussion Prompt: Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance
7. Video: HIV (Part 1)
8. Video: HIV (Part 2)
9. Slideshow: HIV
10. Reading: (Required) UNAIDS. Global AIDS Update 2016.
11. Reading: (Required) Piot P, et al. "Defeating AIDS—advancing Global Health."
12. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 12- “Communicable Diseases”
13. Discussion Prompt: HIV
14. Video: Tuberculosis (TB)
15. Slideshow: TB
16. Reading: (Required) “Tuberculosis.”
17. Reading: (Required) Global Tuberculosis Report 2015.
18. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 12- “Communicable Diseases”
19. Discussion Prompt: Tuberculosis (TB)
20. Video: Malaria
21. Slideshow: Malaria
22. Reading: (Required) WHO. World Malaria Report 2015.
23. Reading: (Required) Roll Back Malaria Partnership. Global Malaria Action Plan: For a Malaria Free World.
24. Reading: (Required) Moonen B, et al. "Operational Strategies to Achieve and Maintain Malaria Elimination."
25. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 12- “Communicable Diseases”
26. Discussion Prompt: Malaria

Graded: Emerging and Remerging ID and Anti-microbial Resistance
Graded: HIV
Graded: Tuberculosis (TB)
Graded: Malaria

WEEK 8


Module 5: Critical Causes of Illness and Death - Part II



Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.


5 videos, 8 readings expand

1. Video: Neglected Tropical Diseases
2. Video: NTDs – Peter Hotez
3. Slideshow: Neglected Tropical Diseases
4. Reading: (Required) Hotez PJ, et al. “Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.”
5. Reading: (Required) Center for Global Development. “Case Studies.”
6. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 12- “Communicable Diseases”
7. Discussion Prompt: Neglected Tropical Diseases
8. Video: Non-communicable Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Diabetes
9. Slideshow: Overview of Non-communicable Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Diabetes
10. Reading: (Required) WHO. Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2010
11. Reading: (Required) Hunter DJ and Reddy KS. "Noncommunicable Diseases."
12. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 13- “Noncommunicable Diseases”
13. Discussion Prompt: Non-communicable Diseases
14. Video: Cancer and Diabetes (Part 1)
15. Video: Cancer and Diabetes (Part 2)
16. Slideshow: Cancers
17. Reading: (Required) Gelband H, et al. "Costs, Affordability, and Feasibility of an Essential Package of Cancer Control Interventions in Low-income and Middle-income Countries: Key Messages from Disease Control Priorities, 3rd Edition."
18. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 13- “Noncommunicable Diseases”
19. Discussion Prompt: Cancer
20. Discussion Prompt: Diabetes

Graded: Neglected Tropical Diseases
Graded: Overview of Non-Communicable Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Diabetes
Graded: Cancer and Diabetes

WEEK 9


Module 5: Critical Causes of Illness and Death - Part III



Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.


5 videos, 9 readings expand

1. Video: Tobacco and Alcohol (Part 1)
2. Video: Tobacco and Alcohol (Part 2)
3. Slideshow: Tobacco and Alcohol
4. Reading: (Required) Jha P, et al. “Tobacco Addiction.”
5. Reading: (Required) Anderson P, Chisholm D, and Fuhr DC. "Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Policies and Programmes to Reduce the Harm Caused by Alcohol."
6. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 13- “Noncommunicable Disease”
7. Discussion Prompt: Tobacco and Alcohol
8. Video: Mental Health (Part 1)
9. Video: Mental Health (Part 2)
10. Slideshow: Mental Health
11. Reading: (Required) Patel V, et al. "Addressing the Burden of Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders: Key Messages from Disease Control Priorities, 3rd Edition." 
12. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, “Noncommunicable Diseases”
13. Discussion Prompt: Mental Health
14. Video: Injuries
15. Slideshow: Injuries
16. Reading: (Required) Norton R, Hyder AA, Bishai D, and Peden M. Unintentional Injuries
17. Reading: (Required) Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare
18. Reading: (Required) Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Heatmap
19. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, Chapter 14- “Unintentional Injuries”
20. Discussion Prompt: Unintentional Injuries

Graded: Alcohol and Tobacco
Graded: Mental Health
Graded: Injuries

WEEK 10


Module 6: Looking Forward
Module 6 focuses on the likely global health challenges of the next few decades and how science and technology can be harnessed, though collective action, to address those challenges.


4 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Science and Technology for Global Health
2. Slideshow: Science and Technology for Global Health
3. Reading: (Required) Buluswar S, et al. 50 Breakthroughs: Critical Scientific and Technological Advances Needed for Sustainable Global Development
4. Reading: (Recommended) Skolnik, “Science, Technology, and Global Health”
5. Discussion Prompt: Science and Technology for Global Health
6. Video: Key Challenges for the Future (Part 1)
7. Video: Key Challenges for the Future (Part 2)
8. Slideshow: Key Challenges for the Future
9. Video: Office Hours 1

Graded: Science and Technology for Global Health