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University of Ottawa
Faculty of Health Sciences
Health Sciences Program
HSS4331 – Introduction to International Health Theory
2008 (Full year)
Latest revision of this document – Mar 19, 2009
Class Schedule: / Mondays, 12-1pm, Roger Guindon Hall 2005Professor: / Dr. Raywat Deonandan
Health Sciences, 43 Templeton St, Room 111
Tel: (613) 562-5800 x8377
Fax : (866) 681-3897
E-mail:
Teaching Assistant: / Arif Jinha
Availability: / Professor: Thursdays, 10:am – 3:pm
TA: please email for an appointment
Course website: / http://classes.deonandan.com/hss4331
Assignments: / Email all assignments to
Description of the course
Introduction to current health issues in developing countries and international health with an emphasis on interdisciplinary participation. Topics cover such global health issues as maternal and child health, Infectious Diseases, the effects of war on health, Climate Change, factors determining poverty and health disparity, Aboriginal health, with special attention paid to HIV/AIDS and Africa. The course is enriched with many guest lectures from visiting experts.
Course structure
39 hours-
· 23 one-hour lectures, Mondays from 12:00-13:00, September 9, 2008, to April 6, 2009 (Fall and Winter sessions)
· 8 hours of attending evening seminar series
o Evening Seminar Series will comprise approximately six public events per semester of 2 hours duration. The Events will vary in times from 4pm, 5:30 to 7pm starts, and on different days. They will be held at various locations on Main and RGN campuses. This should ensure your ability to attend 4 sessions for 8 hours. You are strongly encouraged to attend more if you are able. Schedule TBA.
· 8 hours of attending SUNSIH conference on Saturday October 25, 2008
o Cost is $25 per person, register at www.sunsih.ca
o CCIH conference is a suitable alternative (Oct 26-29, www.csih.org)
Objectives of the Course
Students shall be able to:
1. Demonstrate sensitivity to international health issues
2. Explain and discuss social, economic, geographical, political and environmental determinants of global health
3. Describe the public health impacts of poverty, conflict and violence, political factors and human rights abuses
4. Discuss challenges, ethical dilemmas and successful models of humanitarian aid and become involved in the process of resource mobilization
5. Identify and describe the workings of major organizations involved in international health and development (UN, NGOs, World Bank, IMF, etc)
6. Describe the importance of cultural sensitivity for health care providers locally and internationally
7. Identify and describe the effects of common diseases having a major impact on mortality and morbidity in the developing world (eg, HIV, TB, Malaria, etc)
8. Relate issues of international health to health care in Canada (aboriginal health, refugee health, health and the homeless, poverty, accessibility, equity)
9. Perceive the historical and policy-based bases for contemporary global health and development issues.
Schedule and Content
Please note, due to the reliance on a great number of guest lecturers, the following schedule of topics and speakers may be altered. Changes will be announced in class and on the class website.
1. Sept. 9. Introduction to course.
2. Sept. 15th Context of International health. A quick survey of the history of health disparity.
3. Sept. 22th – Diseases & Indicators. What is the handful of health issues causing the majority of problems? What indicators do we use to track the burden of ill health in a community?
4. Sep 29th - Pertinent Institutions. The United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, IMF, etc: what roles do they play?
5. Oct 6th - The Nature of Aid. Canada’s foreign aid system compared to that of other nations. Why do we have aid? How could it be better or worse?
6. Oct. 13th – Thanksgiving; no class.
7. Oct. 20th – Guest Speaker – Dr. Anne McCarthy: International Health, International Help.
8. Oct. 27th – Guest Speaker – Mr. Eugene Oscapella: How our drug laws and drug prohibition contribute to the spread of disease and death
9. Nov. 3rd – HV/AIDS and Africa. AIDS is the plague of our time, and it is disproportionately affecting Africa. How is it doing so, and in what patterns? What are the prime issues that need to be addressed to assuage this epidemic?
10. Nov. 10th - Guest speaker – Dr Frances Legault: International Health Practicum: Student Experiences in 2008
11. Nov. 17th – Guest speaker – Dr Kirsten Stobenau: Demographics and overpopulation
12. Nov. 24th - Medical Tourism, with special attention paid to Reproductive Tourism.
13. Dec. 1st - Review first semester and preparation for mid-term exam.
Midterm Exam: Dec 5, 2008, 2-5pm, RGN 2005 (Exam period runs from Dec 5-22)
14. Jan 12th – Brief review of midterm exam, followed by guest speaker – Dr. Rachel Thibeault: HIV/AIDS, Disability and Dignity; community empowerment and microfinance.
15. Jan 19th – Guest Speaker – President of the University of Ottawa, the Honourable Allan Rock
16. Jan. 26th – Guest Speaker – Dr. Louise Balfour: Measuring attitudes and knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
17. Feb. 2nd – Guest Speaker – Dr Chantal Blouin: the economics of international health and development
18. Feb. 9th – The effects of the current global credit crisis on international health
19. Study Break: Feb 16-20, 2009
20. Feb. 23rd – Climate change.
21. March 2nd – Guest Speaker – Dr. Karam Ramotar - Public health strengthening in Guyana
22. March 9th - Guest speaker – Mr. Arif Jinha: Globalization locally and globally, how it affects us all. How it relates to health and development. A view of the future of globalization, how we might shape it.
Policy Paper due March 16th at noon
23. March 16th – Guest speaker – Dr. Paul McPherson: Global challenges in the clinical management of HIV/AIDS.
24. March 23rd – Global hunger - & class evaluation
25. March 30th – Guest speaker – Dr. Mike DeGagne: – Aboriginal Health in Canada.
26. April 6th – Wrap up.
27. April 13th – No class.
** Final exam: April 24, 2009, 2-5pm in RGN 2149
Evaluation
· By the end of the year, each student will have submitted FOUR 1-page summaries (2 submitted each semester) of content presented at the evening
(or other permitted extracurricular) sessions they attended, representing 8 hours of seminars. TOTAL MARKS = 10%
· Attendance at SUNSIH conference (or similar conference, with permission from professor). TOTAL MARKS=10%
· Mid-term exam written at the end of the first semester. TOTAL MARKS=30%
· Policy essay (5-10 pages), submitted during second semester. TOTAL MARKS=30%
· Final exam written at end of second semester. TOTAL MARKS=20%
Bibliography
The following texts are recommended but are not mandatory:
· “An Introduction to International Health” by Michael Seear. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press, Inc, 2007 (ISBN 978-1-55130-327-7)
· “The Betrayal of Africa” by Gerald Caplan. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-88899-824-8)