This course explores the challenges we currently face in addressing health inequalities internationally, both within and between national contexts. Students will examine the various dimensions of global health, including its key social determinants and will engage with the leading theories that help explain patterns of global health and health inequalities. Successful completion of the course will allow students to critically analyse and debate real-world global health issues and understand what it really takes to create fairer, healthier societies

One hour online lecture (asynchronous) and 90 mins of in-person teaching per week over 10 weeks (with an optional recap week 11 session).

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The summative assessment has two parts:

1. Group (4-5 students) assignment (50% of grade), including:

■ a 20-minute podcast exploring a contemporary global health dilemma, drawing from course themes;

■ a 500-word synopsis/teaser summarising the podcast ;

■ a transcript with reference list.

■ a CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) statement

2. Individual written assignment of 1500 words (50% of grade) in the style of a scientific opinion piece that synthesises key points about the contemporary global health dilemma identified in the podcast drawing on empirical evidence and appropriate theory. 

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of contemporary global health challenges, focusing on the key determinants of health and health inequalities worldwide. Designed for students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, the course offers critical insights into the ways social context influences individual and population health, and examines the leading theoretical and policy contributions. Successful completion will allow students to develop the critical understandings and analytic skills needed to identify, evaluate and address key health challenges, preparing them for further research or professional roles in global health, policy and advocacy.

By the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of:

o What global health means for a community of researchers and practitioners who pay particular attention to health inequalities;

o   How social contexts (including the key influences of politics, policy and the environment) can influence both an individual's health and the health of populations globally through a comparative lens which draws on appropriate empirical and theoretical work;

o How people's social positions affect their physical and mental health and capacity to lead healthy lives both within nations and across the globe;

o Potential solutions for addressing health inequalities: including identifying, appraising and learning from interventions at different levels and across contexts;

o How qualitative and quantitative research methods are used in the study of global health in context.