Disasters, health crises and communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as epidemic outbreaks, 3 credits

Board-certified health professionals and other health professionals with relevant background.

The aim of the course is to give the participant an overall understanding of the global burden of communicable and non-communicable  diseases and equip them with tools to plan for ethically anchored health strategies in health crises and disasters, with a focus on international humanitarian programs. 

At the end of the course, the participant should be able to:

• describe the global burden of the most common infectious diseases, transmission, vulnerability, clinical manifestation and management
• describe the global burden of the most common non-communicable diseases and strategies for managing them in disasters and health crises
• describe the global burden injuries and strategies for managing them in disasters and health crises
• assess health strategies that limit morbidity and mortality and plan for health promotion programs
• plan for optimal healthcare based on disease burden and limited resources with an ethical approach
• argue for the most important components of infectious disease control and disease outbreak response

• The global health situation - infectious diseases and epidemic outbreaks
• Common infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, malaria, tuberculosis
• Principles of communicable disease control, including immunization programs and other global strategies
• International Health Regulations (IHR) and Strategies in epidemic outbreaks
• Rational use of antibiotics and other medicines
• Infection Prevention Contro
• Acute care of patients with severe infectious disease
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - global burden of disease and trends
• Strategies for dealing with NCDs in disasters and health crises
• Mental health and psychological first aid in disasters and health crises
• Injuries, surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation, the global situation

The course runs over two weeks, where half of the course consists of web-based distance studies and a final project, and the remaining half of the course of interactive campus days, including clinical exercises at a clinical training center.

The course is examined through a project work, individually or in groups. In work done in groups, the contribution of each group member will be assessed.

The participant receives the grade Passed (G) or Failed (IG).

Compulsory participation
The course includes compulsory educational elements. In order to pass, participation in these is also required.
Additionally, throughout the course there are compulsory activities such as lectures, peer-reviewing, student presentations, canvas assignments, and group assignments. These activities as well as the final individual exam are compulsory for passing this course. In the scenario, of an absence, the course examiner will assess case-by-case if, and how the absence can be compensated. 

The examiner assesses if, and in that case how, absence from compulsory educational elements can be compensated for. Before the participant has participated in the compulsory educational elements or compensated the absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, the final course results will not be reported. Absence from a compulsory educational component may imply that the participant cannot compensate for the missed compulsory educational element until the next time the course is given.

Limitation of number of occasions to write the exam
The number of occasions to write the exam is regulated in the contract for executive education.

The course is an executive education and transitional provisions are regulated in the contract.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.

The course language is English.