Exploring Global Public Health: Concepts and Challenges
Free 10-Week Online Seminar
In an increasingly interconnected world, global public health stands out as a critical subject in our collective well-being. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a monumental test for humanity, pushing the boundaries of state and global healthcare systems, revealing key issues, and leaving behind valuable lessons for the public health community. This seminar offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted realm of global public health, covering essential concepts, historical trends, governance frameworks, and contemporary challenges. Led by professionals in the field, participants will delve into the intricate challenges of addressing health disparities, pandemics, and environmental issues on a global scale.
Seminar Leaders
Arash Nemat
Researcher, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet
Dr. Arash Nemat is a cardiologist with an extensive research background. He is currently a researcher in the Department of Global Health at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and a former Associate Professor at Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Afghanistan. His research includes nearly 40 publications in various journals including The Lancet, Nature, Frontiers, AJTMH, and focuses on topics ranging from Polio and COVID-19 to the essential role of Afghan women in humanitarian NGO work.
Yasir Essar
Visiting Scholar, University of Southampton
Dr. Yasir Essar is an accomplished MSc Global Health graduate from McMaster University, specializing in infectious diseases and humanitarian health. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. Dr. Essar has over four years of experience in the global health sector and has made notable research contributions to the field, with publications in The Lancet and BMJ Global Health. While at McGill University Health Center, Dr. Essar’s research focused on Tuberculosis. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Afghanistan.
Syllabus and Readings
Schedule
Week 1: September 30, 2024
Introduction to Global Public Health
- Overview of Global Public Health: Concepts and Definitions
- Historical Perspectives on Global Health
- Global Health Governance: WHO, UN, and Other Key Actors
- Key Challenges in Global Public Health: Inequities, Epidemics, and Environmental Health
Week 2: October 7, 2024
Global Burden of Disease
- Epidemiological Transition and Disease Patterns
- Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases
- Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities
- Role of Globalization in Disease Transmission
Week 3: October 14, 2024
Infectious Disease Threats and Global Health Security
- Emerging Infectious Diseases: Pandemics and Epidemics
- Disease Surveillance and Early Warning Systems
- One Health Approach: Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health
- International Health Regulations and Global Health Diplomacy
Week 4: October 21, 2024
Health Systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
- Challenges in Access to Healthcare: Geographical, Financial, and Cultural Barriers
- Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Health Care
- UHC as a Global Health Goal: Progress and Challenges
- Case Studies on Successful UHC Implementation
Week 5: October 28, 2024
Vaccine Hesitancy and Immunization Programs
- Importance of Vaccines in Public Health
- Vaccine Development, Safety, and Efficacy
- Vaccine Hesitancy: Causes and Consequences
- Strategies to Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Improve Immunization Coverage
Week 6: November 4, 2024
Health in Humanitarian Emergencies: Principles and Practice for Public Health
- Introduction to Humanitarian Emergencies
- Public Health Challenges in Humanitarian Emergencies
- Principles of Public Health Response
- Essential Public Health Interventions
- Health Systems Strengthening and Capacity Building
Week 7: November 11, 2024
Mental Health and Well-Being
- Global Mental Health: Burden and Challenges
- Social Determinants of Mental Health
- Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Strategies
- Mental Health Services Delivery and Integration into Primary Care
Week 8: November 18, 2024
Maternal and Child Health
- Maternal and Child Mortality: Trends and Disparities
- Reproductive Health Services and Family Planning
- Child Nutrition and Growth Monitoring
- Strategies to Improve Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
Week 9: November 25, 2024
A social and sustainable vision for surgery at the global scale
- The history, missions, and challenges of global surgery
- Digital solutions for global surgical care
- Social surgery and the deliberative model of care
- Surgery and environmental sustainability
Week 10: December 2, 2024
Health Beyond Borders
- Health as a matter of international relations and diplomacy
- Health in the European Union
- G7 and G20 negotiating for health
- Youth involvement in health promotion and policy
More Information
Participants who attend at least 8 out of 10 complete seminar sessions will receive a certificate of satisfactory completion signed by the Dean of The New School for Social Research. To obtain the certificate, participants must register and log in with the same email address each week.
Registration will remain open for the duration of the seminar. Registrants will receive a reminder email with the Zoom link each week. The seminar sessions will be recorded and available to registrants on Vimeo the following week.