Global Health, 7.5 credits

Bachelor’s degree or vocational degree worth at least 180 higher education credits. Proficiency in the English language documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL with a total score of at least 6.0 (no band less than 5.0), or other documentation that certifies English language skills equivalent to English B at Swedish upper secondary school.

After the course, the students should: - understand and have knowledge about factors that influence global health - have knowledge about health indicators and be able to use them for analysis and assessment of the health situation in countries with different economic conditions - be able to describe and assess the importance of health systems and policy in countries with different demographic and health related situations - be able to describe the burden of disease at a global level and in countries with different economic conditions, and assess how these are influenced by social and political circumstances - be able to formulate, in general, and assess those strategies and interventions that are of highest importance for improving global health - have knowledge about the importance of how the health care systems have been developed to achieve adequate quality, including the staff’s competence and development, and be able to assess how priorities should be done in resource-poor conditions - have basic knowledge about the activities of international organisations, and be able to assess their importance for global health

The course is an introduction to the concept of Global Health and should give the basis for the further studies within the Master programme. The following themes and fields will be illuminated: - Global health and public health - promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation - Health and development – the world seen from a perspective of change - Disease, health and demographic transitions - The importance of poverty for global health - Burden of disease - Communicable diseases of importance for global health - Non-communicable diseases - Sexual and reproductive health - Injuries - Health systems and policy - Governance, financing and management - Drugs and health - Change mechanisms in health care services - Equity, democracy and health - Emergencies and conflicts - Climate changes - The role of international organisations – governmental, non-governmental and private

Interactive lectures, group work, practical exercises, discussion seminars on the course literature and individual work with a project.

Individually and in groups. The individual examination comprises two parts: one written, which will be developed to assess both the student’s knowledge and ability to analyse and understand contexts in the global health area, and one combined oral and written presentation of a project work and the task to orally comment on another student’s project presentation. These three components will be assessed with the three-levels scale. The aim of the oral group examination is to assess the student’s ability to understand and assess basic factors for development of health systems that can meet the challenges to global health, and how development to reduce poverty can be understood and supported. This part will assessed as Pass or Not pass. For the degree Pass with distinction, the same degree is requested for at least two of the three components and Pass is requested for the group examinations. Participation in lectures, seminars, group work and presentations are all mandatory and absence will result in additional tasks that must be fulfilled if it is assessed that the level of attendance is negatively influencing the students to achieve the learning outcomes. A student who does not pass the examination on the first occasion is offered a maximum of five additional opportunities to sit the examination.

The examination can be done up to two years after the last course.