Step zero: What is global health?
Global Health is drawing a lot of interest but what exactly is global health?Ìý In a nutshell, global health aims to reduce health inequities and achieve health for all. ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ GraduateÌýClara Kuk created a children's book (see below) turned website on global health and equity called She also wrote about this in .
For a more scholarly perspective, the paper gives a good starting point to understand the field. To go further, the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Library has a handy . Looking for something a little less academic? Past ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Global Health Program Director Dr. Madhu Pai curates lists of and !
Step one: Know what's going on
With all the information students receive from ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, finding global health news, events, and opportunities can be hard. Make sure you to our newsletter and we'll send you the latest global health news from the wider ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community every three weeks or so. We want to inform you, not spam you! You can also follow us on social media. We are on and as well as on , and . Also, since you are already here, you can explore what's available on the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ GHP website!
This way, you won't miss important information on Global Health Scholars, Global Health Night, and other opportunities and events.
Step two: Get involved
There are over at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and many of them are involved in global health. See a partial list and be sure to look for them at in September and January. Depending on your program, your student association may also have a global health committee. Fun fact: student groups can apply for funding from the GHP office! Finally, you can be on the lookout for our volunteer calls throughout the year.
Semi-useful fact, we know someone who started their global health career by getting involved with an NGO student chapter!
Step three: Add global health to your curriculum
If your goal is to make global health part of your degree or electives, you can look beyond the PPHS 511 - Fundamentals of Global Health course to over 50 global health-related credit courses. You can explore our list of ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ global health-related credit courses.
Although ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ doesn't currently offer a degree program specifically in global health, it is possible to study global health at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. Some programs will offer a global health concentration while others can be a segway to learning about global health from a new angle. See our directory of relevant degree programs.
Also, suppose you are thinking of doing thesis work for your graduate studies. In that case, you can find Faculty members or research groups whose research is on the global health topic of your choice and look into the department(s) they are affiliated with.
Step four: Consider international experiences (optional)
If you are planning to travel to gain global health experience, we have a guide to help you prepare. Not able to travel? Contrary to popular belief, you can gain global health experience without stepping on a plane (see previous steps).
Step five: Say hi!
If you have questions about global health at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ that go beyond this starter kit or, if you are curious about who is behind the GHP office, feel free to reach out!
Ìý
Before you leave, some things to consider
The field of global health has a with not-so-squeaky-clean roots that still have an influence to this day on how it is taught, researched, and practised. Several voices, including some at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, have spoken up to rethink global health. Former ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Global Health Programs Director Dr. Madhu Pai gives a . Does this mean that ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ students should not get involved in global health? Absolutely not! We do think that knowing the dynamics at play in the field is essential to any future global health player and we hope that's you!