Public Health Response in Disasters, 20 credits

A professional degree of at least 120 credits in health care or medicine. In addition to this, work experience within one of the above mentioned fields is required (has to be certified by the employer). Alternatively a degree of at least 180 credits and work experience within a relevant field (such as aid and international organisations, certified by the employer/organisation). And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

The aims of the course are to provide competencies, to adequately prioritize, plan, implement and monitor public health interventions in disaster relief, based on needs and risks.

Module 1
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• explain how different health determinants influence vulnerability and a society's ability to cope with disasters.
• define various types of disasters and describe how they can be prevented, as well as how their negative influence on the public health can be mitigated.

Skills and abilities

• in a multistage process explain and plan how data and information about health risks and health needs can be sought, analysed and assessed in disasters.

Judgement and approach

• evaluate how various types of disasters influence public health.

Module 2
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• explain principles of and handling of mass-casualty situations
• explain the principles of evaluation of health actions at disaster actions.

Skills and abilities

• plan for epidemiological surveillance in disasters situations.

Judgement and approach

• relate to disaster response systems, their potentials and weaknesses.
• argue for different strategies intended to meet the public health needs of the disaster.
• argue for the most important components for control of infectious diseases.

The course is divided in two modules:
Module 1
Global health and the global burden of disease
Health determinants and their variation at global, regional, national and local level
The indirect and direct effects of disasters on health and health systems
Assessment of public health needs in disasters

Module 2
Planning and implementation of curative and preventive public health interventions in different types of disasters and contexts
Principles for and handling of mass-casualty situations
Epidemiological surveillance in disasters
Control of infectious diseases
International systems for disaster response
Evaluation of public health response in disasters

Interactive lectures. Web-based assignments in groups and individual, simulation exercises and discussion seminars.

The two modules will be examinated individually and as a group exercise. In each module, compulsory parts are also included, where active participation is required.

Module 1.
The examination consists of an individual written text. In addition a written groupassignment is included. The group assignment will be presented in the student group at a compulsory seminar.

Module 2.
The examination consists of an individual written test. In addition a written group assignment is included. The group assignment will be presented in the student group at a compulsory seminar. This examination includes a "peer learning-part" where the students review and give feedback on each other's work.

A student who has not passed the regular examination has a right to participate at further five examinations.

The student will receive a final grade for the whole course (A-F). The final grade is an appraisal of the results in the two individual examinations. The group assignments will be graded with Pass/Failed.  In order to pass the course, the student must obtain at least grade E in the individual examinations and Passed on the group assignments. In order to get a higher grade, at least one examination require the higher grade and the second examination must not be graded less than one grade below.

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

The course will be given in English.

Course evaluation will be carried out according to the guidelines that are established by the Board of education. The course may not be included in a higher education qualification at the same time with the overview and passed course, whose contents completely or partly corresponds to the course content.