BSc Public Health (on campus) / Course details

Year of entry: 2026

Course unit details:
Global Health and the Sustainable Development Goals

Course unit fact file
Unit code POPH10022
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Division of Population Health, Health Services Res
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will explore what is meant by global health and the underlying influences on global health inequalities . We will explore the difference between global and international health including the history and theories that underpin health policies and practice. We will explore alternative approaches to maximise the potential benefit from scientific enquiry, to improve the way in which health care is provided. We will introduce The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to develop a critical appreciation of where we are now and our progress towards peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

Aims

Develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of global health and its key principles in improving population health and achieving health equity . It will explore the history of global health and introduce The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to develop a critical appreciation of where we are now and our progress towards peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

Teaching and learning methods

Academic engagement includes lectures, seminars, workshops and other face to face activities.To achieve the intended learning outcomes for this course unit, we have created a range of activities. We will consult with students to identify any additional needs and further academic engagement activities will be provided. Assessments, preparation for assessments, reading time and independent study are also included within you timetabled activities. 

Knowledge and understanding

  • A1 Outline the history of global health theories, policy and practice 
  • A2 Demonstrate the difference between global and international health
  • A3 Define and differentiate between healthcare and public health systems internationally
  • A4 Demonstrate knowledge and critical appreciation of the inequalities in health, internationally and the underlying causes.
  • A5 Demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable development goals, their origins and progress made.
     

Intellectual skills

  • B1 Identify and evaluate the evidence required for health policy and practice
  • B2 Interpret the Sustainable Development Goals through a public health lens
  • B3 Evaluate the principles for improving health of global populations
     

Practical skills

  • C1 Find existing sources of evidence relevant to clinical and non-clinical health questions

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • D1 Reflect on global health principles and applications
  • D2 Develop communication skills to implement global health interventions 
     

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Oral communication
Written communication

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Discussion boards will be used to provide consolidation exercises to provide feedback for ILOs.

Feedback methods

  • Students will be provided with personalised feedback on their written assignment (2500 words max) on a global health topic. 
  • Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during the course unit. 

Recommended reading

  • Arcaya MC, Arcaya AL, & Subramanian SV (2015). Inequalities in health: definitions, concepts, and theories. Global Health Action.
  • Beaglehole, R., & Bonita, R. (2010). What is global health? Global health action, 3:5142
  • Boar, Palau Pinyana, E., & Oliveras-Villanueva, M. (2022). Alternatives to solve SDG trade-offs and to enforce SDG synergies: a systematic literature review. Management of Environmental Quality, 33(2), 478–493. [Online]
  • Brown, T. M. et al. (2006). The World Health Organization and the transition from "international" to "global" public health. American journal of public health, 96(1), 62–72. [Online]
  • Campbell, F. (2008), DHN Democratic Health Network, Independent Intelligent Information.
  • Cookson, Doran, T., Asaria, M., Gupta, I., & Mujica, F. P. (2021). The inverse care law re-examined: a global perspective. The Lancet (British Edition), 397(10276), 828–838. ]
  • Dahlgren G., Whitehead, M. (2021) The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants: 30 years on and still chasing rainbows. Public Health, Vol 199, Pages 20-24.
  • Durrheim, D. (2021). Thwarting the inverse care law through immunisations. The Lancet. 397:10286. pp. 1708.
  • Evans, T. (2001) Challenging Inequalities in Health: From Ethics to Action. Oxford University Press.
  • Frenk, J., Moon, S. (2013). Governance Challenges in Global Health. New England Journal of Medicine. 368: 936-942.
  • Hyden, G (2008), After the Paris Declaration: Taking on the Issue of Power. Development Policy Review 26:3, 259-274
  • Johnstone, P. (2019). A case study of new approaches to address health inequalities: Due North five years on, British Medical Bulletin.
  • Koplan, J.P., et al. (2009) Towards a common definition of global health. Lancet, vol. 373, no., 9679, pp. 1993-1995
  • Marmot M. (2010) Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review: Executive Summary. London:

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 20
Tutorials 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 160

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Andrew Rogers Unit coordinator

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