What forces determine whether we live long, healthy lives or face preventable illness? Why do some communities thrive while others struggle with disease? How do environmental factors, workplace conditions, and global systems impact human health and well-being? Become a health detective to unpack those questions and more! This course will provide a broad introduction to foundations of epidemiology, toxicology, exposure assessment, risk and policy analysis, digital health, and global health systems. We introduce the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human health, animal health, and environmental health. Students will uncover how environmental toxins, workplace hazards, and global inequalities create health crises and solutions being developed. Through case studies, interactive discussions, virtual field experiences, and hands-on activities, students will develop critical thinking skills required to evaluate and solve grand health challenges.

Designed to introduce you to global health. Global health challenges are immensely complex and underscore the multiple interconnections among social, economic, environmental, and biotechnological dimensions of health problems worldwide. Global health encompasses health care systems, medical practices, and ideas about illness in cross-cultural contexts, as well as issues of health development, global health inequity, racism and other -isms, and human rights issues. We will explore theoretical frameworks and practical perspectives shaping the global health ecosystem domestically, internationally, and virtually.