Global Public Health Essentials - From the Local to the Global (3 ECTS*)

This is section 2 of the course "Global and Public Health Essentials: A Comprehensive Introduction". You can enroll in this section without having completed section 1. However, participants of section 1 will be given priority.

*students need to confirm with their programme coordinator to make sure this is recognised

15^th October 2025 - 28^th January 2026

The course introduces students to fundamental methodological concepts and key issues in global and public health through an active and student-centered learning approach. Students will also learn how to apply their knowledge through practical exercises, quizzes, and digital games. The course is designed for approximately 90 working hours (3 ECTS), including 30 hours of work with online materials and synchronous online sessions and approximately 60 hours of self-study and game-based learning. It is divided into three parts: (I) Methods, (II) Topics, and (III) Practical Aspects in Global and Public Health, covering different basic concepts and key issues.

Course Overview (subject to change)

Target group & Prerequisites: 

• Master/PhD, and students in their 7th semester or higher in undergraduate programmes longer than 6 semesters, preferably enrolled in health sciences, public health, epidemiology, medicine, or other professions related to global public health,
• Knowledge of statistical software programming (SPSS, R, SAS, STATA) is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Required Texts
Relevant and in-depth literature will be referenced at the end of each session. However, the following are suggested readings to help students prepare:

• Salm M, Ali M, Minihane M, Conrad P. Defining global health: findings from a systematic review and thematic analysis of the literature. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jun;6(6):e005292. doi: 
  10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005292. PMID: 34083243; PMCID: PMC8183196.
• Romanello M, Napoli CD, Green C, Kennard H, Lampard P, et al. The 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for a health-centred response in a 
  world facing irreversible harms. Lancet. 2023 Dec 16;402(10419):2346-2394. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01859-7. Epub 2023 Nov 14. PMID: 37977174.
• Abubakar I, Aldridge RW, Devakumar D, OrcuC M, Burns R, et al. The UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health: the health of a world on the move. Lancet. 2018 Dec 15;392(10164):2606-2654. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32114-7. Epub 2018 Dec 5. PMID: 30528486; PMCID: PMC7612863

The course is designed as a synchronous online course supplemented by self-paced asynchronous eLearning units. Synchronous sessions require students to log in and participate at a specific time. After the required registration for the course, students will receive a course and date overview with the corresponding dial-in data (e.g. for Zoom). Lecture materials are made available for students to download (e.g. from Moodle, before the session). Moodle is used as a free course management system and learning platform.

Assessment: The course combines knowledge transfer with practical exercises. Additional reading is recommended for each session. The course is designed for approximately 90 working hours (3 ECTS), including 30 hours of work with online materials and synchronous online sessions and approximately 60 hours of self-study and game-based learning. Credits must be approved by the student's home institution.

Open