Course

Challenges in Global Health

Date

Course coordinator

Dr. K. Klipstein - Grobusch

Course description

This one-week course introduces participants to major public health challenges in lower- and middle-income countries. It provides an introduction to the public health importance, aetiology, risk factors, and epidemiology of chronic non-communicable diseases, while underscoring the intersection between communicable and non-communicable disease. Participants will learn about health threats and policy initiatives for international prevention and control of disease in the context of critical challenges such as the impact of globalization and the role of environmental changes. The main aim of the course is to enhance knowledge and understanding of current challenges in global health with a particular focus on chronic non-communicable diseases.

Course objectives

On successful completion of the module, participants are able to:

• Describe the burden of chronic disease
• Describe the epidemiologic transition and factors implicated in the epidemiologic transition
• Explain the practice of chronic disease surveillance and control
• Explain approaches to chronic disease prevention
• Describe the epidemiology of common chronic diseases, methodological challenges in conducting chronic disease research and factors influencing the interpretation of epidemiologic research for specific chronic diseases.
• Describe the relationships between major lifestyle risk factors and the role of early life experiences in the variation in disease occurrence.
• Describe a life-course approach in epidemiologic research.
• Describe and understand the importance of communicable disease and non-communicable diseases.
• Describe the effect of urban design on health .

Prerequisite knowledge

Postgraduate students and professionals in medicine, public health, social sciences, or related disciplines with knowledge of epidemiology and public health and an interest in global health.

Course format

Lectures, exercises, readings, group work and assignments. Self-study is an important aspect of this course. Active participation by students is encouraged.

Assessment

80% attendance and Group Presentations.

Number of participants

10

Course fee

Participants from outside the MSc Epidemiology should apply via www.utrechtsummerschool.nl

Prerequisite for participation is sufficient capacity in terms of teachers and locations.

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