A look at questions of public health and health care from an international perspective reveals two persistent trends. The first is globalization. As the world continues to globalize, health threats and health opportunities themselves are becoming more global, and this is readily apparent in recent developments like the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change, but also in the context of much older health conditions, such as tuberculosis. The second trend is that of increased diversity and variation. Public health and health care systems are often challenged by the multiplicity of meanings when we talk about health, and, accordingly, also a multiplicity of approaches to, and perspectives on, how health can best be pursued. Analogously, health inequities across various domains are present and these layer with factors that are sometimes considered beyond the boundaries of (public) health (e.g. poverty, gender inequality, racism) but nonetheless need to be tackled if we are to ensure health for all.

This course is designed to give students insight into the basic realities of modern public health, and hence the course’s name: Public Health in International Context. In this module, we explore how trade, travel, migration, and climate change are giving rise to a new context in which infectious disease and other health threats are viewed. Further, we consider the opportunities and barriers created by international cultural diversity for health care and public health activity.

The module covers four weeks but is divided into five major thematic areas. These are: Global Health Epidemiology and Data Sources, Transnational Health Governance, Tobacco Control, HIV in Global Perspective, and Climate Change. Some cross-cutting dimensions and additional themes will be part of all four weeks in the module. First, ethics and ethical dilemmas will consistently be presented to challenge you, and to provoke thought and reflection. Also, the interdependence of human populations on one another for sustenance and health protection will be a consistent theme throughout. Further, the notion of health inequalities will arise in the various themes. Lastly, in the context of global health, environmental issues—including climate change—will constitute a final cross-cutting theme of importance.

This course builds upon the basic knowledge students gathered on international health and international health institutes in periods 1.6 and 2.1. This module is an ‘International Classroom’ module and, as such, the working language of the module is English.

With respect to knowledge and insight students are trained:

·        to comprehend the primary components of what has been called “globalization” and how these processes relate to and impact health;

·        to gain an understanding of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide and how these are addressed by care systems and public policies;

·        to gain insight into socioeconomic inequities at the international level (i.e. among and within nations) and to learn about the relevance of these for both health status and strategy regarding the protection and promotion of health.

With respect to application of knowledge and insight, students are trained:

·        to be better able to contribute to health care and public health planning at the international level, both in developing nations and within the context of transnational health governance structures such as international health organizations (e.g. WHO), health treaties (e.g. Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Tobacco Product Directive), and public-private partnerships (e.g. GAVI, STOP-TB);

·        to be better able to contribute to national and local policies based on a knowledge of the international context of health threats and resources for health.

With respect to formation of a judgement, students are trained:

·        to be able to critically evaluate the scientific and applied value of health data and policy initiatives that relate to the comparison of health or health systems across international borders;

·        to be able to critically evaluate the relevance of health data and policy initiatives that relate to the comparison of health or health systems across international borders for the Netherlands and European contexts;

·        to be able to identify and discriminate among opportunities for the improvement of health both in developing nations and nations in transition, and through international health organizations, treaties and partnerships.

With respect to communication and learning skills, students are trained:

·        to improve in the ability to present findings to groups on themes of healthcare and public health relevance;

·        to gain enhanced understanding of data sources about health topics globally and be able to utilize these efficiently and effectively.