Course Description
-
Course Name
Global Health and Epidemiology
-
Host University
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome Campus
-
Location
Rome, Italy
-
Area of Study
Global Health, Health Science
-
Language Level
Taught In English
-
Prerequisites
• Principles of global health or health sciences
• Basic principles of epidemiology
• Basic principles of statistics
• Highly motivated and interested in the global health thematic
• Ability to work in a team
-
ECTS Credits
6 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits3
-
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units4
Hours & Credits
-
Overview
COURSE OVERVIEW
One of the overall goals of the course is introducing the students to the concepts and definitions of epidemiology and global health, as well as global health challenges governance.
The course will enable students to calculate and interpret the measures of the global health burden of diseases, health indicators and major determinants of disease. Moreover, an overview on ethical issues raised in the field of global health will be provided, covering a wide range of global bioethics topics and human rights issues.
One part ofthe lessons will be focused on infectious diseases and outbreaks but will also cover the topics of vaccination policies around the world. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) will be explored, placing particular focus on the global epidemic rise of these conditions and preventive measures.
The increase in population movementhas substantial public health implications, thus, the course will provide an overview of global migration and international experiences when addressing the health needs of migrants and refugees. Moreover, the course will cover one of the major global emergencies related to environmental exposures and their impacton the population health. In particular, one part of the lessons will be focused on Planetary Health and climate crisis, which poses a threat to health with both a direct effect on health (cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, mental disorders) and an indirect effect (migration, alteration of work activities).The course will use an interactive teaching approach, covering lectures, practical exercises, open discussions, and group analyses. At the end of the course students will take a mandatory final exam covering contents of the whole program.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
• Students are expected to regularly attend class sessions and to actively take part in class debate and case discussions
• Students are expected to be prepared on the assigned readings
• Students are expected to deliver one group assignments and present it to the classLEARNING OUTCOMES
• Understanding the principles of global health, major challenges and global health governance
• Ability to understand and apply epidemiological indicators
• Understanding global bioethics topics and human rights issues
• Acquisition of an international perspective of vaccination policies worldwide
• Understanding global environmental exposures and the impact on population healthTEACHING METHODS
- Lectures, team working and in class discussion, site visits, role playing and case studies
EVALUATION
- Assessment of in class participation (30%)
- Mid-term practical session - Group assignments (case studies presentation) (30%)
- Final exam (multiple choice test) (40%)