Global Health Foundations

In this course, the global distribution and burden of disease and health will be addressed, particularly in relation to vulnerable population groups. 

The history of global health, projections for future health challenges, and the concept of decolonization of global health will be addressed. Furthermore, the course will address central gender challenges in global health to understand how gender influence exposure, prevention, diagnosis and access to treatment. 

With an interdisciplinary approach, themes, conditions, and diseases addressed include: Communicable and cardiometabolic diseases and how they may interact; child and maternal health; global mental health and how it interacts with physical health; environmental health, including living conditions, such as healthy housing, water and sanitation, and how it impacts on health; as well as vector-borne diseases. Furthermore, major health determinants, and risk factors (including social, financial, environmental and climate-related) will be linked to health. Examples from local settings will be put into the global perspective. 

Based on selected literature, the course will include an introduction to models of health care systems, financing mechanisms and central functions and challenges of health care systems.

Principles of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation will be studied for some major health challenges, and as an introduction to the course 'Strategies for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention'. Similarly, principles of hygiene, sanitation, and living conditions will be studied - in general, for specific health problems, and as an introduction to following modules.

The advantage of having access to Danish, global health institutions, as well as international headquarters and institutions in the Copenhagen area, will be drawn upon.