Global Public Health: policy and practice, 7.5 Credits

Contents

This course follows up on the course Global Health: an introduction. While the introductory course is describing the global health situation and discusses the driving forces behind a changing global health panorama this course focus on health policy in a globalised world. The course explores how the actors, context, processes and content of health policy are changing as a result of globalisation. The course will increase the understanding how issues get onto policy agendas, how policy makers treat evidence and why some policy initiatives are implemented and others are not. Special emphasis will be given to the public´s participation as in all philosophies of health a fundamental principle is that, by participating in planning and decision-making, individuals, workplaces and organisations can contribute to the promotion of health in society. Ways of funding and distributing health services will also be discussed.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to: - describe the main actors in global health - define the concepts of health policy, global public goods and global health governance - describe the main challenges for responding effectively to global health challenges through improved global health governance, effective health policies and health service delivery

Required Knowledge

For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. The student should also have passed the course 3FH007 Global Public Health: an introduction or have equivalent qualifications. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training – minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below (4.5) (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible) or TOEFL – minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT 61 is also required. Language test scores are not required if you have completed a minimum of two years of studies at an accredited university or college with English as the medium of instruction or you have had one year of graduate studies and have written your thesis in English. For more information please see: http://www8.umu.se/phmed/epidemi/utbildning/mph-requirements.htm

Form of instruction

Teaching on the course is concentrated to two weeks during the course period. Teaching is conducted through lectures. There are also seminars where students present and discuss their essays as well as scientific papers. These seminars are compulsory. Teaching is given in English.

Examination modes

The examination is done trough the writing of an individual essay where the student have the opportunity to elaborate on a case study applying the overall concepts of the course. During the course the student must in a seminar present the topic of his/hers essay as part of the exam. An extra seminar is arranged for students who do not receive a passing grade on the essay. A student who fails two examinations has the right to a change of examiner according to the University’s set of rules. A request to change examiner should be sent to the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.

Other regulations

Start-of-study respite A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc. A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan. Course roll call Attendence is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendence without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Academic credit transfers are always reviewed individually according to the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.