International Public Health

COURSE OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this course is to acquire insight in scientific- and societal developments related to global health and development cooperation.

More specifically, the student :
- can explain different aspects of health and disease that are currently being addressed in a global context (using the MDGs and SDGs)
- can interpret aspects of marginalization in global health and describe how they are addressed in the global context (e.g., mental health, disability inclusive development, ethnic minorities).
- can examine how health systems, organizations like NGOs and private actors translate international agreements in policies, programs and practices.
- can critique the possibilities and limitations of global health in the context of sustainable development.
- can examine a global health issues and analyze them in a scientific manner on thematic challenges to construct clear recommendations. - can reflect critically on health issues within and between countries, resulting in a written report and oral presentation.

COURSE CONTENT
In this course you will get insight into how health issues are being prioritized and addressed in a global context. The emphasis is on health problems that prevail in low- and middle income countries and how these problems, in the context of development cooperation, are being addressed by governments, donors and civil society actors. The course anticipates on the recent trends in the field of international cooperation and uses real-life examples and case studies to illustrate global health and development issues. This is approached in a transdisciplinary way; integrating insights from various scientific disciplines and taking into account the interests and relationships between different actors. The course starts with an overview of the international community and how they set priorities in relation to health and the development of a nation. In this, we will also consider to what extent marginalized topics (such as mental health, disability inclusion, and ethnic minorities) are part of priorities set at the global level. This will be followed by a closer look at how international agreements, such as the Millennium Development Goals, have been realized by governments, donor and UN agencies, non-governmental and private actors in low- and middle income countries. We will use the lessons learned to also look as the future by studying how the Sustainable Development Goals are to be realized in the coming decade. We will discuss in the lectures as well as during the group assignment what the facilitators and inhibitors of global public health interventions and targets are. In the group assignment, you will apply the theory that is provided during the course to a practical assignment on a sub-theme in global health. During the assignment you will learn to critically reflect on the realization of international themes, to map out the challenges that may be anticipated during implementation and to formulate concrete recommendations to address such challenges. In a team of students, you will compile a report on the realization of a global health theme in a specific region and give a presentation on this to your fellow students.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures and group assignment - Contact: 30 hours - Self study: 65 hours - Group assignment: 60 hours

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Written exam (50%) and group assignment (50%), existing of a report (40% of total) and a presentation (10% of total).

 RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
The curriculum builds on the first year optional course "Internationale Volksgezondheid", having followed this course is an advantage but not a requirement for enrolment.