ANT 105-000: Introduction to Global Health (Spring 2011)

This introductory lecture-based course draws on perspectives from anthropology, social epidemiology, and related social and health sciences to provide a broad framework for understanding current global health challenges and their solutions. Over the semester, we will learn about past, current and future global health issues. And, we will explore diverse theoretical perspectives as to why some populations are healthier than others. The course will emphasize the interconnections between health problems in developed and developing countries and the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understand and mitigate threats to health. Students will be introduced to basic concepts and methods in epidemiology and population health.  Special emphasis is placed on the importance of population demography. Specific topics to be covered include infectious diseases, diseases of under and over nutrition, mental health, environmental health, reproductive health, refugee and immigrant health, human rights, and global health institutions. At the end of the course students should have a basic understanding of the methods used to assess population health, understand the current and future distribution of health, and be able to discuss why some populations are healthier than others and what can be done to reduce heath disparities. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to gain an evidence-based understanding of the threats to human health and interventions that may counter these threats.