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Global Health in an era of Sustainable Development, 7.5 Credits

Global hälsa i en era av hållbar utveckling, 7,5 Högskolepoäng

Established: 2025-12-08

Established by: Department of Health Sciences

Applies from: V26

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Identify national and international initiatives aimed at promoting planetary health, with a focus on short-term and long-term global health risks
• Explain the emergence of the UN sustainable development goals
• Explain relevant strategies for the UN sustainable development goals
• Explain how social and environmental determinants influence health globally and how these factors relate to sustainability and planetary health

Competence and skills

• Identify and analyze national and international initiatives in global health crises with focus on short-term and long-term effects
• Apply the UN sustainable development goals in relation to current global health challenges
• Design an evidence based intervention for global health challenges based on work integrated learning

Judgement and approach

• Critically evaluate the ethical dimensions of global health challenges in relation to planetary health and human rights
• Reflect on norm-critical perspectives for health inequalities in global health challenges

Entry requirements

Bachelor 180 HE credits within caring science, nursing or equivalent. You also need: English 6

The forms of assessment of student performance

The course is examined individually by webbased seminars and written assignment.

Course contents

The course covers key theories, concepts and methods in global health, focusing on how health is shaped by complex interactions between biological, social, economic and environmental factors. A particular focus is placed on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) and their relevance for health promotion work in a global perspective. The course analyses social and environmental determinants of health as well as the global burden of disease and its uneven distribution between different regions and socio-economic groups. Furthermore, inequality in health is problematised from a norm-critical perspective, where power structures, norms and discriminatory practices are examined. Human rights are discussed as a fundamental framework for global health work. The course introduces health promotion strategies and salutogenic theories that emphasise the resources of the individual and society to create and maintain health. Finally, current global crises and health challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, migration and armed conflict, are addressed, as well as the concept of planetary health, which highlights the connection between human health and the planet's ecological systems. Interdisciplinary perspectives and evidence-based methods are integrated throughout to promote sustainable and equitable health in a global context.

Other regulations

Course grading: Failed or Passed

Course language: The teaching is conducted in English.

General rules pertaining to examination at University West are available at www.hv.se.

If the student has a decision/recommendation on special support due to disability, the examiner has the right to examine the student in a customized examination form.

Cycle

Second cycle

Progressive specialization

A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Main field of study

Caring Sciences