HS887-7-AU-CO:
Introduction to Global Health
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
25 September 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
HS869, HS959
MSC L43912 Global Public Health
The global health priorities established in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have helped bring the importance of global health governance to the fore of global health scholarship. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on global public health governance, exposing the systemic weaknesses in the global health architecture and demonstrating how power and resource imbalances impact on global health policy, global health equity and population health.
The global health landscape is shaped by centuries old interactions and structures. The past few decades have brought dramatic change shaped by cross-border flows of capital, ideas, technology intermediated through the complex interaction between global, national and local actors and institutions. This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals of global public health governance by focusing on health-related issues that transcend national boundaries and the differential impacts of globalization on health. It introduces essential concepts from the social sciences, including political science, sociology and law. It includes critical scholarship on interactions between global and local actors to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for critically exploring key questions including who governs global health, which states, institutions and other entities finances global health, who sets priorities for global health and who is accountable for delivering on global health commitments. It provides an introduction to understanding the diverse social, economic and political forces which shape how and why some important health related challenges are addressed through global health policies, including the SDGs, and others are not.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide students with the knowledge and tools to understand and assess the impact of globalisation on population health, and its implications for health policy and governance.
- To introduce students to the role of key actors and institutions.
- To introduce key concepts and frameworks such as governance, health systems, intersectionality and law.
- To teach students how to employ these analytical concepts and frameworks to critically examine cross cutting themes including the climate emergency, health workforce, international trade, financing and international cooperation.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Identify and describe the role of the key actors and institutions engaged in global health governance and how the global health landscape has changed over time.
- Critically assess the influence of key global health actors and institutions on global health policy and commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Appreciate and critically assess current global health challenges and the social, economic and political factors that influence these.
- Critically assess the role of power in global political and economic dynamics and analyse how it shapes global health governance and policy priorities.
Indicative syllabus content:
- Globalisation
- Governance
- Health policies and priorities – from global to local
Exploring key issues/challenges in global health:
- Universal Health Care & Health systems strengthening
- Migration, climate emergency & global health
- International trade, investment and global health
- Financing global health
- International cooperation - Global health security and human rights
- Reforming & Gendering global health
This module will be delivered via:
- Lectures combined with interactive activities.
The sessions in this introductory course with combine traditional lectures (approx. 50 minutes) followed by an interactive activity that has students engage in a debate/discussion about a contemporary issue employing the concepts and frameworks introduced in the different sessions.
For example, in the session on migration, climate emergency and health the students will be provided with the universal health coverage (UHC) policy of a given country prior to the session. After the lecture they will be divided into two groups to prepare and debate the adequacy of the UHC plan to address migrants health; one arguing that the UHC plan is in line with the SDG pledge to leave no one behind and the other which contends that it leaves out undocumented people. The session on international trade and investment will involve an interactive session exploring the extent to which international trade agreements protect or undermine national sovereignty over health-related decisions. Students will engage in a role playing exercise that highlights how international trade agreements have led to shifts in traditional global health hierarchies.
The module content, designs, delivery and evaluation methods are guided by intersectionality informed EID framework that advance the School's inclusion and diversity objectives. The themes, analytical framework and reading material align with key University agendas linked to the decolonising the curriculum movement and the commitment to increasing inclusion, tackling racism and other structural forms of discrimination. This module introduces students to both tools and knowledge that will lay a foundation for engaging with intersectionality as an approach to analysing and addressing issues of inclusion and diversity.
-
Taylor, S. (2018) ‘“Global health”: meaning what?’,
BMJ Global Health, 3. Available at:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000843.
-
Smeeth, L. and Kyobutungi, C. (2023) ‘Reclaiming global health’,
The Lancet, 401(10377), pp. 625–627. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00327-6.
-
Salm, M.
et al. (2021) ‘Defining global health: findings from a systematic review and thematic analysis of the literature’,
BMJ Global Health, 6(6). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005292.
-
Kawachi, I. and Wamala, S. (eds) (2006b) ‘Globalization and Health: Challenges and Prospects’, in
Globalization and Health. Oxford University PressNew York, pp. 3–16. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172997.003.0001.
-
Huynen, M.M., Martens, P. and Hilderink, H.B. (2005) ‘The health impacts of globalisation: a conceptual framework’,
Globalization and Health, 1(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8603-1-14.
-
Wenham, C.
et al. (2023) ‘From Imperialism to the "Golden Age” to the Great Lockdown: The Politics of Global Health Governance’,
Annual Review of Political Science, 26(1), pp. 431–450. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-052521-094633.
-
Kapilashrami, A. and Baru, R.V. (eds) (2018)
Global Health Governance and Commercialisation of Public Health in India. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351049023.
-
Gostin, L.O., Sridhar, D. and Hougendobler, D. (2015) ‘The Normative Authority of the World Health Organization’,
Public Health, 129(7), pp. 854–863. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.05.002.
-
Hanefeld, J. (2008) ‘How have Global Health Initiatives impacted on health equity?’,
Promotion & Education, 15(1), pp. 19–23. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/1025382307088094.
-
Kutzin, J. and Sparkes, S.P. (2016) ‘Health systems strengthening, universal health coverage, health security and resilience’,
Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(1), pp. 2–2. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdl&AN=26769987&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
-
Tichenor, M. and Sridhar, D. (2017) ‘Universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, and the World Bank’,
The BMJ: World Bank and Financing Global Health [Preprint]. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j3347.
-
Van Niekerk, L.
et al. (2023) ‘Social innovation in health: strengthening Community Systems for Universal Health Coverage in rural areas’,
BMC Public Health, 23(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14451-8.
-
Anaf, J., Baum, F. and Fisher, M. (2022) ‘Global Health and Equity Burden of Commercial Determinants of Health’, in N. Maani, M. Petticrew, and S. Galea (eds)
The Commercial Determinants of Health. Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 17–C3.P79. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197578742.003.0003.
-
Prof. Sharon Friel PhD et al (8AD) ‘Commercial determinants of health: future directions’,
The Lancet, 401(10383), pp. 1229–1240. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00011-9.
-
Barlow, P.
et al. (2017) ‘Trade and Investment Agreements: Implications for Health Protection’,
Journal of World Trade, 51(1). Available at:
https://kluwerlawonline.com/journalarticle/Journal+of+World+Trade/51.1/TRAD2017007.
-
Schram, A. and Labonté, R. (2016) ‘International Trade and Investment Treaties: The Empowerment of Pharmaceutical and Tobacco Corporations’, in
Case studies on corporations and global health governance: impacts, influence and accountability. London: Rowman & Littlefield. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=4676891&ppg=151.
-
McNamara, C.L.
et al. (2021) ‘Glossary on free trade agreements and health part 1: the shift from multilateralism and the rise of “WTO-Plus” provisions’,
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 75(4), pp. 402–406. Available at:
https://jech.bmj.com/content/75/4/402.
-
Hanefeld, J. (2015)
Globalization and health. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill Education. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1920717.
-
Health, wealth, and profits | The BMJ (no date). Available at:
https://www.bmj.com/health-wealth-profits.
-
Yamey, G., Sridhar, D. and Abbasi, K. (2018) ‘The extricable links between health, wealth, and profits’,
BMJ [Preprint]. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4418.
-
McKee, M., Steele, S. and Stuckler, D. (2019) ‘The hidden power of corporations’,
BMJ [Preprint]. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4.
-
Birn, A.-E. (2014) ‘Philanthrocapitalism, past and present: The Rockefeller Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the setting(s) of the international/global health agenda’,
Hypothesis, 12(1), pp. 1–54. Available at:
http://archive.wphna.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2014-11-Hypothesis-Anne-Emanuelle-Birn-Rockefeller-and-Gates1.pdf.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Summative - Essay |
|
100% |
| Coursework |
Senior Leader MSc - Summative |
|
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sarita Panday, email: s.panday@essex.ac.uk.
GPH Student administrator: Ashwini Bharambe
Email: gph@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Prof Theodore Schrecker
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University
Professor of Global Health Policy
Dr Kate Parkinson
University of Huddersfield
Subject Leader, Health and Social Care
Dr Masoud Mohammadnezhad
University of Bradford
Associate Professor of Public Health
Available via Moodle
Of 22 hours, 22 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.