PUB HLTH 7090 - Global Public Health

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course will allow students to develop a critical understanding of the drivers that have resulted in global health risks, especially different health outcomes between high and low income countries. Students will learn about measures of global burden of disease and how these can be used to understand global health challenges and health disparities between countries in terms of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Students will draw on their knowledge of epidemiology, health promotion and public health evaluation to analyse and evaluate global health challenges and responses, and develop a critical appreciation of the health system and policy levers that can be used to improve health outcomes. They will also learn about the role of international agencies (e.g. World Health Organisation, World Bank, IMF, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, AusAid), how these articulate with the work done at a national and local level, and how coordinated global action is required to tackle many of the most pressing global health challenges.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7090
    Course Global Public Health
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge PUB HLTH 7075, PUB HLTH 7093
    Course Description This course will allow students to develop a critical understanding of the drivers that have resulted in global health risks, especially different health outcomes between high and low income countries. Students will learn about measures of global burden of disease and how these can be used to understand global health challenges and health disparities between countries in terms of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Students will draw on their knowledge of epidemiology, health promotion and public health evaluation to analyse and evaluate global health challenges and responses, and develop a critical appreciation of the health system and policy levers that can be used to improve health outcomes. They will also learn about the role of international agencies (e.g. World Health Organisation, World Bank, IMF, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, AusAid), how these articulate with the work done at a national and local level, and how coordinated global action is required to tackle many of the most pressing global health challenges.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Peng Bi

    Phone: +61 8313 3583
    Email: peng.bi@adelaide.edu.au 
    Location: Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza, North Terrace, Adelaide

    Student & Program Support Services Hub
    Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: +61 8313 0273
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Timetable details are located on MyUni.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    Describe measures of the global burden of disease and global health disparities

    Describe and characterise a range of transnational and global public health challenges

    Describe the role of international agencies and how these articulate with national agencies to address global health challenges through coordinated global health action

    Explain how social, economic and environmental determinants of health impact on global health challenges

    Explain the impact of globalisation on global burden of disease and injury

    Identify and critically evaluate the health system and health policy levers that can be used to improve health outcomes in developing (low and middle income) countries

    Demonstrate an awareness of intercultural and ethical issues in responding to global health challenges

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-7

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    3-6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4, 5, 7

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    7

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    N/A

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no set textbook for this course. All resources, including links to journal articles and reading lists, will be disseminated via MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    All resources will be provided via MyUni.
    Online Learning
    The primary means of communication outside of formal contact hours will be via MyUni. Announcements and discussion boards will be the main method of communicating with the student cohort. Course material will be supported by online resources via MyUni. Material will be sequentially released in line with the teaching and learning activities in each week.



  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The five day intensive will use a mix of short presentation, student discussion in groups, guest speakers, and practical skill building exercises.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    ..
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topics to be covered will include:

    ·        social, economic, and environmental determinants of global health and health inequalities

    ·        global burden of disease, illness and injury

    ·        architecture and levers of health and health-relevant systems and health service delivery in developed and developing  countries

    ·        global health challenges (e.g. climate change, food and water scarcity, emerging infectious diseases and pandemics)

    ·        communicable and non-communicable diseases

    ·        north–south power dynamics

    ·        linkages between local and global health problems

    ·        roles of international organisations

    ·        coordinated global public health action

    ·        impact of globalisation on global health outcomes

    ·        intercultural competency

    ·        sustainable development goals

    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task

    Task Type

    Weighting

    Learning Outcome

    Quizzes

    Summative

    15%

    1-6

    Assignment 1 (1200 words)

    Summative

    25%

    1-3,7

    Assignment 2 (2000 words)

    Summative

    30%

    6

    Group assignment

    Summative

    20%

    1-7

    Participation

    Summative

    10%

    1-7

    Assessment Detail
    Quizzes (15%)
    On-line quiz covering concepts addressed in the course.

    Assignment 1 (25%) (1200 words)
    Essay describing a global public health challenge and critically evaluating the role of international and local agencies in responding to it.

    Assignment 2 (30%) (2000 words)
    Essay comparing the organization, structure, function and financing of health care and public health systems and how this impacts health outcomes using examples from different countries.

    Group presentation (20%)
    The group will identify the social, economic and environmental determinants of a selected global health challenge, explain how globalisation impacts on the problem, and recommend strategies which could be used to tackle the problem.

    Participation (10%)
    Participation in class discussions, exercises.

    Submission
    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. 
    Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuinecompassionate grounds. Supporting documentation must be provided at the time a student requests an extension. Without documentation, extensions will not be granted. Late requests for extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged.

    Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment
    of compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation. The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact on the student. Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits. In the case of late assignments where no
    extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted. If an assignment that
    is 2 days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%. If that same assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late.

    Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.

    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.

    Resubmission
     If a student isdissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/process/>. Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with Course Co-ordinator(s) in the first instance. This must be done within 10 business days of the date of notification of the result. Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator(s) and will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons. 

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.