Essentials of Global Health is a comprehensive introduction to global health. It is meant to introduce you to this topic in well-structured, clear and easy to understand ways. Much of the course will focus on five questions: What do people get sick, disabled and die from; Why do they suffer from these conditions? Which people are most affected? Why should we care about such concerns? What can be done to address key health issues, hopefully at least cost, as fast as possible, and in sustainable ways? The course will be global in coverage but with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, the health of the poor, and health disparities. Particular attention will be paid throughout the course to health systems issues, the linkages between health and development, and health matters related to global interdependence. The course will cover key concepts and frameworks but be practical in orientation.
![Yale University](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera-university-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/b4/339da416653830d015f5a179f864e1/square_logo_large.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=28&h=28)
![Yale University](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera-university-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/84/1d39a40d26b2621b92c062f31f149d/yale_logo-left.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&h=45)
Essentials of Global Health
Taught in English
Some content may not be translated
80,087 already enrolled
(2,030 reviews)
Details to know
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/31ebcba3851b87d1d8609abf15d0ff7e.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=24&h=24)
Add to your LinkedIn profile
29 quizzes
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/74c8747e8210831049cf88dd4eefe26c.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=320)
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/de1a6556fbe605411e8c1c2ca4ba45f1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=259)
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/de1a6556fbe605411e8c1c2ca4ba45f1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=333)
There are 10 modules in this course
This module introduces you to the course, some of the basic concepts of global health, and a number of key perspectives for considering global health issues. This module will also introduce you to the key actors in global health and the different ways in which they are organized and function.
What's included
4 videos13 readings2 quizzes6 discussion prompts
Module 2 focuses on the “burden of disease”. It first examines the state of the world’s health. It then introduces you to key demographic factors and how they relate to global health. It concludes with several sessions that examine what people get sick, disabled and die from and to what risk factors and determinants these conditions can be attributed.
What's included
8 videos14 readings5 quizzes5 discussion prompts
Module 3 focuses on health systems. It first examines the notion of “value for money” in considering investments in health. It then reviews how health systems in different parts of the world are organized; some of the issues they face in effectively and efficiently providing appropriate services of acceptable quality; and what we are learning can be done to address those issues in cost-effective ways.
What's included
7 videos8 readings3 quizzes4 discussion prompts
Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.
What's included
8 videos10 readings3 quizzes3 discussion prompts
Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.
What's included
6 videos9 readings3 quizzes3 discussion prompts
Module 4 focuses on some of the most important cross-cutting themes in global health. These include the relationship between the environment and health, complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and health, and nutrition and health. They also include an assessment of the health of women, children, and adolescents. A single session is devoted exclusively to childhood immunization.
What's included
3 videos6 readings2 quizzes2 discussion prompts
Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.
What's included
5 videos16 readings4 quizzes4 discussion prompts
Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.
What's included
5 videos10 readings3 quizzes4 discussion prompts
Module 5 focuses on critical causes of illness, disability, and death. It first examines communicable diseases, such as emerging infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and the neglected tropical diseases. It then reviews key issues in noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It concludes with a look at injuries. Each session examines the nature of the condition; its burden of disease; the determinants and risk factors for the condition; who is most affected by it; and what we have learned can be done to address the condition in cost-effective ways.
What's included
5 videos13 readings3 quizzes3 discussion prompts
Module 6 focuses on the likely global health challenges of the next few decades and how science and technology can be harnessed, though collective action, to address those challenges.
What's included
9 videos4 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt
Instructor
![Richard Skolnik](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera-instructor-photos.s3.amazonaws.com/64/fdbda06a1f11e6b8d6936e3fa413c6/DSC_2628.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=75&h=75&fit=crop)
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Public Health
University of Copenhagen
Johns Hopkins University
The University of Tokyo
The State University of New York
Why people choose Coursera for their career
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Felipe_Moitta.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Jennifer_John.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Larry_Tao_Wang_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Chaitanya_Anand.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 2030
2,030 reviews
- 5 stars
87.26%
- 4 stars
11.21%
- 3 stars
1.13%
- 2 stars
0.19%
- 1 star
0.19%
New to Public Health? Start here.
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/7a1c0e2e779c1ff27cae62480adfe003.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=120)
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.