Critical Issues in Global Health (MED 194)

In this course, participants will discuss and engage critically with current topics and pressing issues in global health through the lens of health equity and social justice. Topics include decolonizing global health, climate change, the health of indigenous populations, and other vulnerable populations, homelessness, and gender-based violence and mental health challenges. Students will hear from and engage with experts in the field and debate critical issues in global health through course discussions. Three-unit students will investigate a global health equity challenge and present recommendations for effective interventions. Speakers represent a range of voices and perspectives. They include: Dr. Madhu Pai, a global health leader, health equity advocate, and tuberculosis expert; Dr. Jim O'Connell, a Boston physician who has dedicated his career to caring for people living on the streets; Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, retired Vice Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda to name a few. Participants will gain new insights into the health equity considerations critical to addressing contemporary challenges, explore diverse perspectives on key issues, and critically consider current and potential interventions through the lens of a global health practitioner. Requirements for the course include attendance and participation in class discussions, a short capstone presentation, and a final paper. This course will be taught by Dean Michele Barry Director of the Center for Innovation in Global Health, and Dr. Geoffrey Tabin, Professor of Ophthalmology and Global Medicine and co-founder of the internationally renowned Himalayan Cataract Project. Course enrollment is open to medical students, graduate students, and undergraduate students (2-3 Units). This course must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and a letter grade to be eligible for Ways credit.