MD Program

Global Health Issues I 

Details

Description

This is a twelve-week course focusing on the core issues in the current field of global health including the history of global health, health and development, social determinants of health, measuring health and disease, disparities in the American health care system, poverty and health, gender issues and reproductive health, child health, immigrant and migrant health issues, and the introduction of major players in global health. This course is open to medical students only. This is a pass/fail elective. This course is a prerequisite to Global Health Issues II offered in the spring semester.

Course -Directors

Robin Paetzold, Director, Global Programs
OSAC, MERF 1187A
Office Phone: 353-5762
robin-paetzold@uiowa.edu 

Dr. David Bedell
Department of Family Medicine
david-bedell@uiowa.edu

Office Hours are by appointment. We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.

To register, contact marcia-hopp@uiowa.edu 

Objectives

Participants in this course will:

• Review basic epidemiological issues affecting global health
• Understand the basic challenges faced in the areas of global health including medical, cultural, historical, economic and political influences.
• Understand the relationship between population health and medical care.
• Explore options and issues relating to future global health opportunities

Evaluation

This course is evaluated on a pass/fail basis. In order to pass, students are expected to

• Prepare for participation in each session by reading assigned materials in advance. 
• Attend a minimum of 80% of class sessions.
• Actively participate in class discussions.
• Participate in additional homework tasks as assigned during the semester.

Notes

This course plan may be modified during the semester. All changes will be announced in class in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed of such announcements.

Assignments and updates are often posted through email. It is the student’s responsibility to read their email on a regular basis in order to keep aware of announcements.  A test email has been sent out on the first day of class. If you did not receive the email message stating that the class begins on 1/21, please contact Robin Paetzold immediately for inclusion in the class roster.

The College’s Policies for Students with Disabilities provides that students who seek the modification of seating, testing, or other course requirements must contact the College of Medicine Counseling Center at the beginning of the academic year to implement the process for determining appropriate accommodations.  Any student who believes that he or she may qualify for special accommodations should contact the Counseling Center immediately. Please refer to the Medical Student Handbook for policy relating to academic integrity and the Honor Code. (These issues include cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, sexual harassment and discriminatory practices, violation of confidentiality, and other acts of misrepresentation.) The Handbook also includes policy relating to the abusive treatment of students as well as excused absences.

Due to the inclusion of guest speakers, we anticipate that changes in the order of lecture topics for the semester may still occur. Announcements of changes are made both in class at least one week in advance as well as through email.

Presentation Schedule*

Required Readings will be assigned from a variety of sources. These will be distributed in class or on reserve in Hardin Library

*Draft Form. Final schedule will be distributed on day of class.