Curriculum

Acquaints students with a broad overview of the use of qualitative research methods in public health. Explores the types of critical public health questions best addressed through a qualitative approach and introduces conceptual principles that are foundational to qualitative research. Exposes students to key issues in planning and conducting qualitative research, as well as strategies for analyzing qualitative data.

Global health requires practitioners to be well versed in understanding health systems, the controlling disease, and improving the health of mothers and children, and vulnerable populations. This course provides an introduction these issues. Students will have an opportunity to apply these skills by analyzing the health situation in select low and middle-income countries. Prerequisite: None

Equips students to identify and analyze critical ethical issues in global health practice. It provides a forum for discussion of and deliberation about these issues, enabling students to explore a range of possible solutions. Students will practice using central concepts and frameworks of public health ethics to consider systematically the responsibilities of public health professionals in real-world global health cases. Prerequisite: None

Uncovers current public health topics through presentations by faculty experts from the School. Focuses on current perspectives and research findings about problems important to the health of individuals and communities. Covers a broad spectrum of population-based, prevention-oriented issues relevant to public health in the private and public sectors of both domestic and international communities, including global health promotion, disease prevention, health care delivery systems, environmental issues, and the spectrum of factors influencing the health status of populations and communities. Topics covered vary by term so as to provide exposure to a broad diversity of public health topics. Prerequisite: None

Provides students an opportunity to learn the components for developing a proposal for primary health care program. This includes elements of costing human resources, financial management, training and supervision, and other basic components of primary health care management. Students practice developing the typical components of a project proposal. Prerequisite: None

Introduces principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation of diseases. Illustrates methods by which studies of the distribution and transmission of diseases in populations (including disease outbreaks and epidemics) can contribute to an understanding of etiologic factors and modes of transmission. Covers various study designs, including randomized trials, case-control and cohort studies, as well as risk estimation and causal inference. Discusses applications of epidemiology to solving public health problems, such as identifying sources and strategies for control of disease outbreaks, applying research findings to policy and practice, and program evaluation. Explores quantitative and analytic methods including life tables, disease surveillance, measures of morbidity and mortality, and measures of diagnostic test accuracy. Prerequisite: None

Provides an overview of the origins and current state of major global disease control programs, and the policy frameworks which enable (and hinder) their implementation. Beginning with the origins of global health programs, the course reviews several major paradigms in Global Disease Control - from the major infectious disease programs (HIV, TB, Immunizations), to emerging global programs around NCD prevention and control. Broad sector-wide programs are also introduced, ranging from reproductive to neonatal health to nutrition. The course examines ways in which each program generates and maintains financial and political support at national, regional and global levels. Prerequisite: None

Provides students with a broad overview of biostatistical methods and concepts used in the public health sciences. Emphasizes the interpretation and conceptual foundations of statistical estimation and inference. Covers summary measures, measures of association, confidence intervals, p-values, and statistical power. Prerequisite: None

Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand individual, community, and organizational behaviors and change processes in cross-cultural and developing countries settings as a foundation for planning appropriate Primary Health Care (PHC) programs. Students learn to outline the contributions of social and behavioral science theory in the planning and implementation of culturally relevant PHC programs; will utilize social and behavioral theories to understand individual, social network, organizational, community, and policy maker health related behaviors; and identify the factors that promote and inhibit community involvement in PHC program development and implementation. Prerequisite: None

Prepares students who aim to work and live overseas. Examines key prevention, safety, and travel medicine principles and services to contextualize risks and maintain wellness. Reviews applicable interventions, appropriate vaccines, and personal protection methods to prepare students to respond to expected and unexpected situations. Assists students with personal preparations for travel through country-specific assignments. Prerequisite: None

Primary health care programs in low and middle-income countries require essential health commodities be made available at the community level. Logistic systems need to be developed to ensure that commodities are adequately estimated and delivered. In addition, systems for safely maintaining and monitoring stocks are needed at the community level. Prerequisite: None

The course presents the emergent public health issues related to rapid growth of urban population in low and middle-income countries. Conventional health services have proved to be inadequate for the needs of the urban poor. Present selected cases studies as examples of primary health care approaches that effectively addressed the public health consequences of rapid urbanization. Prerequisite: None

Primary health care programs, projects and interventions require evaluation to ensure stakeholders (including donors, implementing organizations and communities) that they are achieving their objectives. The course explores conceptual frameworks and methodologies for selecting primary health care indicators and using these to assess program progress and outcomes. Provides skills for selecting appropriate indicators and choosing proper evaluation methods to measure those indicators from the perspective of population health. Prerequisite: None

The household survey is a basic evaluation tool for planning and designing public health programs.  Students learn how to construct questionnaires as well as basic survey protocols. Provides skills to analyze and present results so that they can design and improve primary health care programs from a population health perspective. Prerequisite: None

Community health workers are the backbone of primary health care. They require culturally and technically appropriate training to serve the communities in which they work. This course provides the skills in planning and designing training programs. Prerequisite: None

Primary health care according to the Alma-Ata Declaration should be delivered through the full participation of community members. This course provides case studies of community-based approaches to address community health problems. Students will be aided in developing problem-solving skills to enhance equity and empowerment of communities. Prerequisite: None

Introduces a systematic approach to writing— from planning and organization to revision and completion. Emphasizes the importance of defining the message and understanding the audience and purpose. Examines the basic elements of good writing. Focuses on clarity, concision and style. Explores the use of rhetoric and storytelling to maximize a piece of writing's impact. Emphasizes best practices in various forms of writing, including emails, memos, reports, proposals and op-eds. Prerequisite: None

The integrative Activity will synthesize skills and knowledge derived from the course in a service-learning project addressing a current problem or issue in the global health field. Prerequisite: None