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340.639.01
Assessing Epidemiologic Impact of Human Rights Violations

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2013 - 2014
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 2:20pm
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Since human rights violations and failed public policies can affect the health of populations and the efficacy of public health efforts, students utilize a case studies approach drawn from recent epidemics of infectious diseases to investigate the interactions of epidemics, public health, and human rights. In the context of the case studies, students examine epidemiologic methods to investigate and understand these interactions, including qualitative assessments and interview approaches, population level measures, indirect measures for use in conflict areas, and new tools of molecular epidemiology. Case studies include the stalled response to SARS in China; HIV/AIDS in Burma under military rule; HIV, STIs, and violence in relation to human trafficking and sex work; limitations on effective HIV prevention for drug users in Russia, the CIS and China; and the policies of limiting condom availability for prisoners in the US, Russia, and Thailand. Students gain an appreciation for the mecha
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the mechanisms through which policies and rights abrogations can worsen epidemics, of the benefits of using a rights-based approach to public health problems, and of current epidemiologic tools to study these complex issues