2009 Courses

Courses for January Term 2009

IMP 221: INTRO TO GLOBAL HEALTH: IDENTIFYING AND MEASURING [3]

Breyette Lorntz, Assistant Professor

This course will explore and illustrate the determinants of and challenges to the health of the poor, as the achievement of global health depends on improving the health of the most vulnerable. At the course’s end, students should recognize important social determinants of health, in addition to biological ones. Also, students should appreciate the diversity of global health challenges and the myriad strategies to address them. Experts from academic medicine, public health, non-governmental organizations and public-private partnerships will share their professional experiences with students.

To further illustrate the diversity of problems and the range of solutions, we will examine two global health challenges specific case studies. With these case studies we will learn about (1) the importance of measuring and describing global health problems in a meaningful way, (2) the use of these descriptions to design solutions, and (3) the maintenance of effective monitoring and quality improvement. The course will identify continuums and will focus on the common ground, the intersection and interrelations between healthcare, economics, biomedicine, environmental and public health. Out of our understanding of the complexities and unique challenges the world is faced with today, we will move away from dichotomies into more creative, inclusive, complex approaches to global health intervention.

Students will participate actively in class, and they will keep a journal throughout the class. Evaluation of student learning will include three reflection papers, one short research project proposal and an oral presentation, and a final exam.

INST 204: THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM [3]

Robert D. Powers, MD MPH, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Sociology

This course offers students an opportunity to learn about the structure and function of the US health care system. It is of interest to those considering a career in the health professions as well as anyone seeking to be an informed consumer and citizen. Lectures and seminar discussion will cover the history and current status of American health and health care delivery, and identify and discuss the challenges that face providers, patients, payers, and policy makers as health care becomes more effective and more expensive. Issues related to manpower, financing, access, disparities, the law, and technology will be addressed, with discussion centered around approaches to understanding and solving the most significant problems. Critical thinking will be encouraged by analysis of problematic topics including the conflict between profit and care delivery, the growing ranks of uninsured despite a healthy economy, and controversies in areas including malpractice, “lifestyle” medicine, and ethics.

As a final exercise, students will be asked to devise a viable intervention which will result in a 10% increase in the number of patients receiving necessary health care services at either the national, state, or local level.