INTHE4019 – Fundamentals of International Community Health
Course content
The course focuses on core areas related to international community health. The emphasis is on identifying problems, evaluating strategies and programs in international community health.
The course is divided into five weekly modules and two exam weeks. The modules have the following areas of focus:
- Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition
- Human and Microbial Ecology
- Reproductive- and Child Health
- Medicines in a Global Society
- Health Systems
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Human and Microbial Ecology:
- Explain the concepts of pathogenicity and virulence of microbes, microbial evolution, transmission of infectious diseases and variation in infectious disease patterns over time and space.
- Describe various Public health measures for controlling infectious diseases, such as sanitation, vaccination programs and practices to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance
- Demonstrate how global policies influence microbial ecology
Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition:
- Summarize the most common NCDs and their epidemiology.
- Outline basic nutrition and nutrition intervention in public health
- Explain the importance of proper nutrition during the life cycle
- Choose most appropriate research methods on nutrition and NCDs
Reproductive – and Child Health:
- Explain the central issues in child health and reproductive health
- Illustrate the relationship between socio-economic inequality and inequity in access to health care and their impact on child health, maternal health and mortality.
- Describe cultural, social and political aspects related to reproductive – and child health, and global challenges to child health and reproductive health
Health Systems:
- Explain the goals and functions of health systems, their organization, their performance, and the global and local environment in which they operate.
- Describe the goal of universal health coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the relationships between health systems and the global burden of disease.
- Show an in-depth knowledge about one specific health system of their choice and relate it to a specific problem of relevance to international health
Medicines in a Global Society:
- Compare and contrast the rationale and function of national and international medicines policies, what influences public and private actors to formulate and operate these policies, and consequences of this on access to and use of essential medicines in the “rich” and “poor” world.
- Explain the social, cultural, economic and educational factors that influence consumers to choose and use medicines rationally, factors that influence irrational use, and public health research conducted to address these factors to promote rational use.
Skills
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Human and Microbial Ecology:
- Appraise infectious diseases burden in a global perspective.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition:
- Discuss the epidemiology of NCDs and the global challenges these diseases present
- Estimate nutritional status and nutritional needs for individuals and groups.
- Analyse the link between nutrition, life style and NCDs and the consequences of over- and undernutrition and prevention potential.
- Evaluate NCD related interventions when working in community health.
Reproductive – and Child Health:
- Discuss the interaction between child health, access to health care services and poverty.
- Critically analyse the relationship between health systems and child health, and the relationship between health systems and reproductive health.
- Appraise global challenges related to child health and reproductive health
Health Systems:
- Characterize common challenges to health systems in low- and middle income countries
- Evaluate specific challenges facing a given health system
- Outline and discuss potential solutions at local, national, and global levels.
Medicine in a Global Society:
- Analyze important factors which influence national and international medicines policies, and consequences of these on access to and use of essential medicines in the “rich” and “poor” world
- Appraise how social, cultural, economic and educational factors influence consumers to choose and use medicines in rational or irrational ways, and consequences of their actions.
General Competences
After completing the course, you should be able to:
Human and Microbial Ecology:
- Engage effectively in discussions about public health interventions related to infectious diseases.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition:
- Appreciate the contribution of Non-Communicable diseases in the global burden of disease
- Reflect on the role of better nutrition in the fight against non-communicable diseases
Reproductive and Child Health:
- Engage effectively in debates on health policies and developmental issues relevant to child and reproductive health.
Health Systems:
- Reflect on the role of health systems in global health
- Engage productively in discussions on how to make progress towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals, and to contribute to health systems strengthening in the future.
Medicine in a Global Society:
- Appreciate the role of medicines in the global society, what influences medicines policies nationally and internationally from perspectives of public and private actors, and main consequences of this on people’s rational and irrational choice and use of medicines.
Admission
This course is only available for students at the following master programme:
Teaching
The course consists of lectures and seminars. In the seminars, the students do exercises and assignments related to the course. 80% attendance in the seminars is required to be eligible to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Two home exams:
The first exam is written in week 4 (after the first three modules), the second in the final 7th week.
Grading
The Board at the University of Oslo has decided to introduce detailed guidelines for all examinations, which take place at the University. The description of the grading should be clear and transparent. This is done to ensure alignment between learning outcomes, assignments, and grading. The Faculty of Medicine has developed a web page with information regarding exams and the grading procedures (norwegian version).
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.
Thesis project:
We recommend you start thinking about which topic you want for your master project already now, as it is important that you have settled a topic and supervisor before January. You find a step-by-step description about how to go about finding a topic and supervisor as well as planning your project at our webpage ICH Master project - all about planning.