An Introduction to Global Health

This module is about people and the planet.

It covers the evolution of humans, their spread and development over time. It notes the important changes that took place when they developed settlements and how this and their animal origins have affected their health ever since. The module concludes by asking how their numbers have now increased to nearly 8 billion and asks why.

This module is about causes of death and how and why these have been changing.

It explores early theories of disease and tests whether changes in these have lead to the increase in population. Using the example of a country that has become high income it covers how causes of death have changed and how this knowledge can be used when looking at all countries round the world. It notes the very significant changes that have taken place over the last 50 years and provides the opportunity to look more closely at the main diseases in the world together with their epidemiology. It concludes by looking at the main health challenges in the future.

This module is about the health gradient, inequalities and social determinants.

The module starts by looking at the relationship between health and wealth and explores why some people are more healthy than others. It looks at the basic ingredients we need in order to survive and explores how the way we structure our society increases or decreases our survival capabilities. This includes access to affordable healthcare and the manpower challenge the world has to achieve this. It concludes by looking at the evidence that shines light on how the relationship between our animal origins and our social hierarchies affect our health.

This module provides a practical framework to help decide how to improve health in the most cost effective way.

The module begins by looking at the health problems of a low-income country in Africa. It then follows the patient journey of a woman who lives in a rural village as she seeks help from a health clinic. This is then linked to the determinants of health and expands a medical care model to a population health care model. Using examples, it uses the model to help people identify the most effective interventions that will improve particular health problems. It also addresses barriers to the use of healthcare and looks at need, demand, prevention, effectiveness, efficiency, service improvement.

This module looks at what the world doing about global health and the future of the planet. 

The module looks first at the impacts that human activities have had on the health of people in countries of the world and some of the ways these have and are being tackled. It notes that the interconnected big problems of the world today demand a co-ordinated approach, if they are to be managed. It describes the formation of the UN and WHO, together with the significance of health now being seen as a human right. The module concludes by recognising that Sustainable Global Health for All is only achieved by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the development of which are traced back to the formation of the UN. The course concludes with examples and guidance for people who want to learn more or to become involved in global health in some way.