People with bachelor’s degrees in economics, sociology, anthropology and other fields may want to add a master’s degree in global health to open up career paths. What do these master’s programs entail?
What is Global Health?
An article on the Georgetown University website, states Global health involves research and practice placing a priority on improving health in developing countries. These professionals understand that most world health problems stem from environmental, social, political, and economic causes as well as the inequalities in health care services in these countries. Because of this, global health professionals are not only healthcare specialists, but people with backgrounds in world economic systems, international law, and cultures, just to name a few of the disciplines involved. Most careers in global health can be found outside of the United States.
What Does a Master’s Degree Program Involve?
Students who enter the master’s degree programs in global health will take a term of foundational courses to give them a basic overview of the field of world health. These might include classes in the challenge of world health, research methods/ biostatistics, ethics and policies and health care systems in developing countries. The second term usually brings in elective classes in a student’s choice of specialization such as:
• Disease prevention and control. This course deals with epidemiology and the impact and control of infectious and non-infectious disease, chronic conditions and age-related illnesses.
• Health policy and finance. This concentration teaches quantitative analysis of financial systems and abilities of developing nations to fund healthcare systems. It also involves studying risk factors and assessing health insurance to formulate plans to improve healthcare service in the country.
• Health in Africa. Africa is currently a problematic area for delivery of healthcare services and education. This course of study deals with historical and cultural issues that affect healthcare in Africa as well as current socio-economic and political challenges.
• Demography and reproductive health. This coursework centers on the delivery of sexual health education and on the effects urbanization and other causative factors have on reproductive health.
• Health issues affected by trade. These classes deal with patents and international trade agreements and the impact they have on health service delivery. Classes include studies of various businesses such as the tobacco industry and how its labor policies affect the health of the populations involved in production and trade of the product.
Third or final term studies include a field practicum and a thesis/research project. Usually, these research practicums have genuine impact in the world health arena. Recent research thesis projects at Duke University included one on the relationship of social stigma surrounding homosexuality and HIV/Aids testing/prevention programs in India. Another project investigated the practicality of using theater to educate adolescents in Tanzania about healthcare.
What Must I Have to Be Admitted to an MPH in Global Health?
Admission requirements for a master’s program at a graduate school are fairly standard. You must have a baccalaureate degree and some work experience in the field.
Science and technology enable us to reach and influence many developing nations; an international view of world welfare is emerging. People who pursue degrees in global health will be able to affect their world far beyond the borders of their own countries.