MPH Master of Public Health (Communicable Disease Prevention and Control) / Course details

This course will be of interest to everyone wanting to explore what is meant by the relatively new, but increasingly fashionable concept of global health. It will be relevant to all students, but may have particular relevance to  health or development policymakers, managers and practitioners from both developed and developing countries. The course will examine how the global health concept has evolved in the context of globalisation. It will then delve into the underpinnings of health and disease in diverse contexts and dissect the workings of the global health system: what are its key assumptions and principal frameworks that guide international health co-operation. How effective is this in creating a healthier world? Are global health inequalities improving or worsening, and does that matter? How does global health relate to sustainable development? As you go through the course unit, we will also highlight the topics’ relevance to current events globally.

This is an interactive on-line course. Students must work through the online course material. Students are encouraged to use the Blackboard discussion boards to ask questions and check their understanding of the course material.

This unit is one of three which may be taken as the additional mandatory unit for the Global Health stream, alongside the mandatory core unit of POPH60041 for all streams.

The other options are:

• POPH62411 – Global Women's Public Health
• POPH62212 – Health Systems Challenges in Low and Middle Income Countries

This unit aims to examine how the global health concept has evolved in the context of globalisation. It will look into the key political, social, economic, legal, and institutional underpinnings of health and disease in diverse contexts.

• To understand key values, concepts and frameworks that underpin global health, and develop envisioning and strategising skills for leadership and advocacy in this area
• To analyse political, social, economic, legal and institutional factors that affect health and disease from a global perspective, and how the local and global inter-connect against the backdrop of the major drivers of globalisation
• To appreciate the strengths and failings of key actors in the global health system to be able to argue for change and improvement, and as a practical foundation for working effectively with or alongside them
• To practice critical interdisciplinary skills to explore global health issues and controversies, and tackle complex problems in resource poor or culturally sensitive/politically difficult settings

The course will work its way through all the major themes necessary to understand global health:

• Recognise the essential underpinnings of global health
• Understand the present global health architecture and governance arrangements
• Understand how global health is positioned in Agenda 2030: Sustainable Development Goals
• Appraise the long journey from primary health care for all towards today’s notions on Universal Health Coverage
• Analyse the global distribution and determinants of health and disease
• Familiarise with global health law and global health security
• Discuss how global health is used as an instrument for waging war and peace
• Analyse concerns around healthcare in danger, and health as a bridge for peace
• Understand the role business plays in health, negatively and positively
• Look at future trends in the 21st century: from global health to planetary health

This is a fully distance learning unit which will be accessible through the University VLE. There will be written materials by the tutors guiding students through the course, illustrated with photographs and figures to illustrate the rich topic areas. Much of the content will be presented through peer reviewed journals (accessible through the University library), media (newspaper and TV channels available online) and short videos (i.e. course tutors). Students will be directed to a variety of relevant literature each week, but also encouraged to research and explore and find their own sources.

While there are overarching learning aims and objectives for the unit, each week will also contain its own learning objectives.

There will be regular interaction with the tutors. Students will be encouraged to use self-reflection to think about the ideas discussed, and take part in discussion board activities. Students should work through the unit in a logical sequence. The calendar in Blackboard will guide what should be done and when. Participation in the discussion boards is greatly encouraged, and can help enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your assignments.

• Understand key values, concepts and frameworks that underpin global health
• Explore the health impact of globalisation and the shifting burden of disease
• Appreciate the link between socio-economic development and health outcomes
• Familiarise with the Sustainable Development Goals and their evolution from the Millennium Development Goals
• Explore the social determinants of health
• Understand the key features of the global policy debates and their evolution into the Universal Health Coverage concept
• Critically analyse key international laws that impact on global health policy and practice

Analyse political, social, economic, legal, and institutional factors that affect health and disease from a global perspective, and how the local and global inter-connect against the backdrop of the major drivers of globalisation.

Recognise moral values and personal beliefs that animate the global health movement.

• Practice critical interdisciplinary skills to explore global health issues and controversies, and tackle complex problems in resource poor or culturally sensitive/ politically difficult settings
• Consider how global health progress may be tracked and measured
• Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking when applying global health issues to a specific context

• Appreciate the strengths and failings of the key actors in the global health system as a practical foundation for working effectively with or alongside them
• Consider ethical issues in designing global health policies and practice
• Understand the wider humanitarian context for the health work crises
• Work collaboratively on a range of activities - teamwork
• Apply principles of evidence based practice

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their mid-term and final summative assignments within 15 working days for mid-term assignments and 20 working days for final submission.

Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will be provided during the course through tutor-student interactions, including discussion board tasks.

For further information please watch this video from our Course Unit Leader.

If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit leader, Greg Williams, via email on greg.williams@manchester.ac.uk. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme administrators via email on mph.admin@manchester.ac.uk.