Syllabus

Schedule

Course Weeks

Each week opens on Wednesday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Wednesday at 11:59 PM ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday.

• Week 1: August 25 – September 1
• Week 2: September 1 – September 8
• Week 3: September 8 – September 15
• Week 4: September 15 – September 22
• Week 5: September 22 – September 29
• Week 6: September 29 – October 6
• Week 7: October 6 – October 13
• Week 8: October 13 – October 17

Weekly Schedule

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Week 1: Introduction to Global Health

Weekly Outcomes

• Explore some of the major global health issues facing the world today and how the SDGs address these.
• Explain the key international actors in global health, the kinds of roles that they play and why global cooperation is needed.
• Assess how global governance has changed since the Ebola outbreak and challenges that still remain in addressing global health emergencies.
• Examine the social determinants of health which relate to a key global health issue in the world today, such as maternal mortality.

Readings

*Review the Final Project Document for detailed information about the policy brief due in Week 7.

• Merson:
  • Intro
  • Ch. 17 (pp.853-861 and p. 878)
  • Ch. 4 (pp.149-162)
    • Chapter 4 PowerPoint
  • 740 Global Health Resources
  • The Millenium Development Goals Report 2015, (Read pages 3-9)
  • United Nations Report on the Sustainable Development Goals
    • Familiarize yourself with the 17 SDGs, especially #3 and its targets. The pdf files “Why it Matters” for each goal will be helpful for your policy briefs
  • Mackey T. The Ebola Outbreak: Catalyzing a “Shift” in Global Health Governance? BMC Infect Dis. 2016; 16: 699.
  • Health Security: is the world better prepared?

Videos

• Social determinants of health
• WHO Health Emergencies Program
• Ending maternal mortality in Sierra Leone

Lecture

• Week 1 Lecture: What is Global Health?

Assignments

• Week 1 Discussion: Introduction and MMR in Sierra Leone 
  Original Contribution:

  First, introduce yourself. Include information about who you are, what you do, and what you hope to get out of the course.
  Second, answer the question, “ What surprised you about the documentary on the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Sierra Leone? Briefly discuss one of the social determinants of health which strongly affects the MMR in Sierra Leone.
  Response Post: Respond to the original contribution of at least one colleague.

  First, comment on their introduction (perhaps you have something in common or have questions about their role in public health).
  Second, respond to their answer regarding the MMR in Sierra Leone. Point out another social determinant of health which you feel strongly impacts the MMR in Sierra Leone. Briefly explain why this social determinant is important and include another SDG, besides #3, which addresses this social determinant.

• Quiz 1

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Week 2: The Burden of Disease

Weekly Outcomes

• Explore the disease burden for some of the health conditions addressed by the SDGs.
• Explain different ways to measure disease, such as DALYs.
• Analyze the leading risk factors for deaths and DALYs in the world.
• Analyze the leading causes of disease burden in the world.

Readings

• Merson:
  • Ch. 1
  • Chapter 1 PowerPoint 
• World Health Statistics 2017: Monitoring Health for the SDGs
  • Read Part 2, Annex A and skim the rest. Extremely helpful for this course and your policy brief. Note that SDG health related targets are given, as well as indicators to measure those targets.
• Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks in 188 countries, 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet Volume 386, No. 10010, p2287–2323, 5 December 2015.
  • Read Summary/Abstract, Introduction, Discussion, and Figures 6 and 7 and Table on pp. 21 and 22. Skim the rest

Videos

• Hans Rosling at Global Health, Beyond 2015
  • Please be sure to listen to the questions and answers at the end of the lecture (37 minutes)
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation boosts vital work of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the Coordinating Center for the Global Burden of Disease Project

Lecture

• Week 2 Lecture: Burden of Disease

Recommended Reading

• Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Global Burden of Disease: Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy. Seattle, WA: IHME, 2013.
  • Read the Overview and Conclusion, skim the rest of the report

Assignments

• Week 2 Discussion: Dr. Rosling

Original Contribution: For your discussion post this week, please answer ONE of the following questions dealing with the Hans Rosling video. When creating your thread, please make sure to include the number at the front of the title of the thread you create. (Example: 1: (Vietnam).

1. “Vietnam” What does Dr. Rosling mean when he says, “Vietnam lives like the poor but they die like the rich?” Why does he focus on Vietnam to discuss the global burden of disease?
2. “Poverty” Dr. Rosling says that eradicating extreme poverty should be the top priority in order to improve global health. He proposes that the “richest one billion in the world should share their wealth” in order to eradicate extreme poverty. Do you agree with this and think it’s feasible? What other measures would you propose in order to eradicate extreme poverty so SDG #1 is met by 2030?
3. “Suicide” Dr. Rosling says that the leading cause of death for young women (15-19 years) in the world is suicide. Why do you think this is so? Are there any SDGs which address suicide among females, either directly or indirectly?
   Response Post: Does the student effectively argue his/her opinion? If yes, state why you agree. If not, explain what you think the student’s argument is missing. Ask a question about something he or she has stated in a post (or response) to get clarity or to push the discussion further.

• Quiz 2

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Week 3: Infectious Disease

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess some of the main infectious agents and vectors responsible for the world’s leading infectious diseases.
• Assess ways to prevent and control infectious diseases.
• Analyze how social determinants, such as poverty, can lead to the spread of infectious disease.

Readings

• Merson: Chapter 5
  • Chapter 5 PowerPoint
• WHO. World Malaria Report 2015. Geneva: WHO, 2015.
  • Review the executive summary and Key Points x-xv and scan the remainder of the report

Videos

• Combating Malaria in Ghana (UNICEF)
  Ghana Black Stars in United Against Malaria Cheer Song (Voices for a Malaria-Free Future)

Lecture

• Week 3 Lecture: Infectious Disease

Assignments

• Week 3 Discussion: Peer Review

This week’s discussion is different from the other discussions in this course. Your original contribution post should be around 400-500 words.

Original Contribution: Post sections #3 and #4 of your policy brief.

Response Post: Respond to a colleague who has no responses from any other student. If someone has already responded to a colleague, you must choose a different post for your response. Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of their analysis of the nature and magnitude of their problem and persons most affected.

Is there some area you would like to know more about?
Ask about any other data you would want to know in order to understand the importance of the health issue your fellow student is studying.
Provide the student with a reference where he/she may find this data or a peer-reviewed study.
Refer to 740 Global Health Resources

• Quiz 3 

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Week 4: Noncommunicable Disease and Risks

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and their key behavioral risk factors.
• Analyze some of the cultural, socio-economic, behavioral, and environmental factors responsible for these conditions.
• Analyze the key SDGs which address non-communicable diseases.

Readings

• Merson: Chapter 7
  • Chapter 7 PowerPoint 

Videos

• Mental Health and the Global Burden Disease of Study 2010
• Treating NCIDs-PIH Rwanda (Partners in Health)

Lecture

• Week 4 Lecture: Noncommunicable Disease and Risks

Assignments

• Week 4 Assignment: Policy Brief Sections #3 & #4

Taking into consideration the feedback from your instructors and peers, submit a revised version of sections 3 and 4.

Refer to the Final Project Document for detailed information.

Submit the following sections of your policy brief for instructor feedback:

#3 Introduction, Nature and Magnitude of the Problem
#4 Persons Most Affected
Maximum of 2 pages, excluding references
Use AMA style to accurately attribute Information and opinions of others

• Quiz 4

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Week 5: Nutrition and Food Security

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess the nutrition transition and some of the major factors changing dietary patterns in low and middle-income countries.
• Analyze some ways in which food security is threatened in the world today.

Readings

• Merson: Chapter 6
  • Chapter 6 PowerPoint Click for more options
• Popkin BM, Adair LS, Ng SW. Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countries. Nutrition Reviews. 2012;70(1):3-21.
• Brown L. Could food shortages bring down civilization? Sci Am. 2009;300(5);50-57.

Websites

• How a Village In Kenya Changed with the Climate (World Food Programme)
• World Food Programme 2015 Hunger Map

Lecture

• Week 5 Lecture: Nutrition and Food Security

Assignments

• Week 5 Discussion: Food Shortages

Original Contribution: Based on the 2009 article in Scientific American, “Could food shortages bring down civilization?” Answer the following questions:

Do you think Plan B includes all the necessary components?
Do you think these components or goals will be met in 50 years? Why or why not.

Response Post: Does the student effectively argue his/her opinion? If yes, state why you agree. If not, explain what you think the student’s argument is missing. Ask a question about something he or she has stated in a post (or response) to get clarity or to push the discussion further.

• Week 5 Assignment: Policy Brief Sections #5

This week’s essay focuses on your final project policy brief. Draw on previous modules, besides this week’s module. For example, Week 4 Noncommunicable Diseases/Risk Factors may be helpful.

Complete the following:

In a maximum of 2 pages (excluding references), discuss if poor nutrition is a risk factor for your health problem.
Then include the following section of your policy brief: #5 Major Risk Factors. Refer to the Final Project Document for detailed information.
DO NOT include the environmental factors of water, sanitation, war/conflict, globalization, climate change and access to health care/services since this will be part of the Week 6 assignment.
Use AMA style to accurately attribute Information and opinions of others

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Week 6: Environmental Health and Climate Change

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess the health impact of climate change.
• Assess the impact of unclean water and lack of sanitation on global health.

Readings

• Merson:
  • Chapter 10 (pp.481-485 and pp. 500-529)
  • Chapter 10 PowerPoint 
• Rogers P. Facing the freshwater crisis. Sci Am. 2008;299(2)46-53.
• Krueger J, Biedrzycki P, Hoverter SP. Human health impacts of climate change: Implications for the practice and law of public health. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics.2015;43(1 supp):79-82.
• Narain JP. Unraveling the health impact of climate change. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2016; 143(1): 1-3.
• Troubled Water: Burst Pipes, Contaminated Wells and Open Defecation in Zimbabwe’s Capital

Video

• Water and Sanitation: Everyone’s right (15 min)

Lecture

• Week 6 Lecture: Environmental Health and Climate Change

Assignments

• Week 6 Discussion: WASH Program in Zimbabwe

Original Contribution: Based on the required video, “Water and Sanitation, Everyone’s Right”:

Do you think the WASH program in Zimbabwe is sustainable? Why or why not?
Make two recommendations to make it either sustainable or more sustainable.
SDG#6 and class/outside readings will help answer this question.

Response Post: Does the student effectively argue his/her opinion? If yes, state why you agree. If not, explain what you think the student’s argument is missing. Ask a question about something he or she has stated in a post (or response) to get clarity or to push the discussion further.

• Week 6 Assignment: Impacts on Policy Brief Health Problem

In a maximum of 2 pages (excluding references), discuss the following factors (when relevant) and how they impact the health problem of your policy brief:

Environmental factors of water and food insecurity
Lack of sanitation
War/conflict
Globalization
Climate change
Access to health care and services
Use AMA style to accurately attribute Information and opinions of others.

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Week 7: Children’s Health in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess some of the socio-cultural reasons and health disparities which adversely impact children’s health in low and middle-income countries.
• Assess some of the major ways to promote the health of vulnerable children affected by the Syrian conflict.

Readings

• Merson:
• Ch.11 (pp.571-576)
• Hitting Rock Bottom: How 2016 Became the Worst Year for Syria’s Children

Recommended Readings

• I Went to Greece To Help the Refugees Who Came in Search of a Better Life (Article in Bangor Daily News, 4/14/17 (by UNE Prof. Gunderman)

Lecture

• Week 7 Lecture: Children’s Health

Assignments

• Week 7 Assignment: Final Policy Brief

Refer to the Final Project Document for detailed information.

Submit your final policy brief

• Week 7 Assignment: Diarrheal Disease Module

Complete the online module, Diarrheal Disease

This module will help you learn about the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of diarrhea, one of the leading causes of death in health emergencies and for children under five.

Upload the certificate of completion for this course or a screenshot of the page that confirms your completion of the final exam and score.

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Week 8: Key Challenge in Global Health: Antimicrobial Resistance

Weekly Outcomes

• Assess how AMR affects diseases of major public health importance
• Analyze the impact of AMR on individuals, health systems, and society
• Explore recent international efforts to contain AMR

Recommended Reading

• Laxminarayan R, et al. “Antibiotic Resistance—the Need for Global Solutions.” The Lancet Infectious Diseases 13.12 (2013): 1057-1098.
  • Read the abstract and review the remainder of the article for the main messages.

Lecture

• Week 8 Lecture: Key Challenge in Global Health: Antimicrobial Resistance

Assignments

• Week 8 Discussion: Original Contribution 

Original Contribution: Reflect on your experience during this course. How did this course change or confirm your previous ideas about global health? Use specific examples from the course to illustrate your reflection. Is there an area in global health you would like to study more or possibly find employment? If so, explain what that is. Discuss how your future work in public health, whether domestic or international, may be influenced by your understanding of global health.

Response post: Response post is not required.

• Week 8 Assignment: Antimicrobial Resistance

Complete the online module, Antimicrobial Resistance 

This module aims to improve the learner’s awareness and understanding of the basic principles of AMR, the impact AMR has on individuals and society, and why it is a major public health concern.

Upload the certificate of completion for this course or a screenshot of the page that confirms your completion of the final exam and score.

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

• Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
• Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
• Library Tutorial: Find an article
• Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

• UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

• ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.