Non-communicable diseases, injuries, natural emergencies and conflicts in a global health perspective, 3 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the disease burden, patterns, trends and key determinants of the most common non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes), mental health and injuries using appropriate indicators and sources of data
• Discuss the key challenges related to prevention of non-communicable diseases, injuries and natural disaster/conflict-related health issues
• Explain the principles of screening for NCDs
• Design an intervention to prevent or improve the situation of a non-communicable disease, injury, natural disaster/conflict -related health issue, in a specific population

• The course will illuminate various aspects of non-communicable diseases, injuries, natural emergencies and conflicts both from the perspective of individuals and of the society.
• The importance of different NCDs and different type of injuries for global health and in countries with various economic conditions.
• Different background and risk factors for various NCDs and injury mechanisms and strategies to prevent them.
• Different types of natural emergencies and conflicts and their impact on health.
• The importance of the local and regional context regarding social and economic circumstances, the functional level of health care, as well as the awareness and readiness among politicians and the public.
• Needs assessment in emergency situations and the role of international organisations.
• Health system challenges and response strategies due to disease transition, rising incidence of injuries and increasing prevalence of many non-communicable diseases.

The course includes lectures, seminars, group discussions and individual work.

Individual examination in the form of a written assignment and oral presentation in group seminar, as well as written feedback on fellow students' individual assignments.

To obtain the grade Pass on the course the student must be awarded Pass on both examinations. To obtain the grade Pass with distinction the student must be awarded Pass with distinction on the written assignment and Pass on the oral presentation in group seminar.

Compulsory
Compulsory attendance applies to all seminars and group assignments. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, the student's results for respective part will not be registered.  Absence from a compulsory activity may result in that the student cannot compensate the absence until the next time the course is given.

Limited number of examinations
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student  has not passed the exam after four participations, he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided. 

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

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 students will have the opportunity to give continuous feedback and input during the course to ensure that the course is as student-driven as possible.

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education. 

The course language is English.