Module manager: Mahua Das
Email: m.das@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Same as programme
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module is designed to provide students with an overview of the key challenges and issues in international health and explore the international organisations working to address them. It provides a foundation in the international health discipline by presenting a vocabulary of ideas, theories and concepts important to the field. Using case studies and examples from low- and middle-income countries, quantitative and qualitative data and information, and historical and current discourse about the prevalence of disease, students will develop the capacity to analyse priority challenges in international health while appraising the international health organisations operating to address them.
This module introduces students to key international health issues and the international organisations working to address them, the essentials of basic epidemiology, and the key vocabulary, theories and concepts of international health.
Students will engage with case studies and examples from various low- and middle-income countries and discussions and group work about the influence of sociocultural, economic and political determinants of health. During this module, students will also be introduced to basic quantitative and qualitative analysis skills through workshops that will support their development of appraising and interpreting various sources of information.
On completion of the module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate in-depth familiarity of the burden of disease and their transition in societies
2. Critically analyse the impact of the social, economic and political factors on the distribution and spread of diseases of international health importance;
3. Demonstrate critical understanding of global patterns of ill-health, including, but not limited to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related diseases, other priority communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health and mental health
4. Critically discuss and analyze the roles of key actors in international health.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Technical:
1. Discuss and analyse priority diseases of international importance and the roles of key international actors working to address them
Work Ready:
2. Use various sources of data and information to make evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
Academic:
3. Effectively communicate as a global health professional using academic English
Digital:
4. Use appropriate technology related to analyse and communicate about health issues
The outline syllabus of the module will cover the following topics/issues:
1. Introduction to key issues in international health: Introduction to the Module & Key Concepts
2. Key Issues in International Health: Water, Sanitation & Health
3. Key Issues in International Health: Introduction to Epidemiology
4. Key Issues in International Health: Priority communicable diseases
5. Key Issues in International Health: Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health
6. Key Issues in International Health: Equity in Gender and Health
7. Key Issues in International Health: Determinants of health
8. Key Issues in International Health: Health Service Delivery, PHC & Intervention
9. Key Issues in International Health: Priority non-communicable diseases
10. Key Issues in International Health: key actors, partnerships and special programmes
11. Key issues in Mental health
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Seminar | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Private study hours | 127 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
This will be done through:
- Observation of class dynamics, discussions and group work - verbal feedback will be given by the teacher of each session to ensure understanding of the topics covered during the session
- Group work during class - verbal feedback on understanding key concepts, topics, themes and other items covered in the module.
- Each lecture will open with a “quick knowledge check” approach to ensure that students have understood key concepts, followed by applied activities. Formative feedback will be provided during the activities;
- The Discussion Board on Minerva where the module leader monitors students' learning and assessment preparation
- Questions and answers session where students receive feedback on their topic selection and approach
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Individual Presentation - 20 minutes and 5-minutes of questions | 100 |
| Coursework | Formative assessment - Quick knowledge check will be applied at the start of each session, and formative feedback will be provided following each | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 20/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team