Global Health Short Course
About the Global Health Short Course
In May 2012, The UNSW Medical Students’ Aid Project (MSAP) is launching its first annual Global Health Short Course, to be run as a series of lectures over four weeks from May 10th to 31st. The Short Course is one of The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) initiatives for global health advocacy. The Short Course will be open to all UNSW students. It aims to improve students’ understanding of pertinent global health issues and the social and environmental contexts which influence these. The difficulties inherent in providing suitable international aid will also be addressed, with further information on how students can become involved in the global health arena.
Lectures will be held every Thursday evening from 5:30pm at UNSW from the 10th-31st May. Food and drinks will be provided on each of the nights. $10 covers all four weeks of lectures, the final debate, food, drinks, and your AGH Certificate of completion (if you attend all 4 lectures).
More information regarding speakers and venue to follow.
PDF document on MSAP Global Health Short Course here.
Week One – Global health is a human rights issue
This lecture will provide students with an overview of common global health problems. The health issues raised will be used as a framework to discuss global health inequities as a human rights issue – and discuss where our responsibilities as global citizens lie in addressing health inequities.
Week Two – Refugee health
In this lecture the unique health problems, social issues and psychological trauma affecting refugees will be explored. There will be a particular emphasis on women’s and children’s issues. We aim to assist students in understanding the unique social, environmental and political stressors which impact on this vulnerable population group.
Week Three – Stories from the field (MSF evening)
Doctors from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) will share their experiences in week three. Personal stories and cases will be recalled, and students will be given an insight into how they can utilise their medical (or other) expertise to personally address health inequities.
Week Four – The final debate
An expert panel will discuss the topic “The developed world’s current approach to tackling global health issues is merely a band-aid solution.” The panel will consist of experts from medical, public health and legal backgrounds, all with personal experience in global health. The evening is designed to consolidate the issues raised over the previous three weeks. It will also encourage students to think critically about issues surrounding the provision of sustainable and viable international aid.