Global Health Systems & Inequities

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Colette Duval (Assistant Professor of Public Health)
• Email: cduval@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Calder Health Sciences Building 312
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Thursday: 9:00–10:30 a.m. (In person, Calder Health Sciences Building 312)
  • Friday: 9:00–10:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

The global burden of disease, health systems and financing across countries, global health governance, and social and economic drivers of health inequities. PUBH 210 examines population health patterns, health system structures, and systemic inequities across the globe. Grounded in the World Health Organization (WHO) health systems framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), students analyze the global burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases using metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The course investigates how historical colonial legacies, structural economic policies, and global governance institutions (such as the WHO, the Global Fund, and Gavi) intersect with domestic health financing models to shape health access and outcomes worldwide.

Prerequisites

PUBH 101.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PUBH 210, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the Global Burden of Disease: Interpret epidemiological transitions, demographic trends, and composite metrics including Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) across low-, middle-, and high-income nations.
2. Evaluate Comparative Health Systems and Financing Models: Compare Beveridge, Bismarck, National Health Insurance, and out-of-pocket health systems using the WHO building blocks of service delivery, workforce, information, medical products, financing, and leadership.
3. Examine Global Health Governance and Aid Architecture: Critique the roles, funding mechanisms, and geopolitical power dynamics of international agencies, bilateral initiatives (e.g., PEPFAR), multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
4. Assess Social and Economic Drivers of Inequity: Analyze how poverty, gender inequality, armed conflict, forced displacement, and environmental degradation create systemic health disparities within and between countries.
5. Design Culturally Grounded Global Health Interventions: Formulate an evidence-based, sustainable intervention proposal addressing a maternal, child, or infectious health priority in a low-resource community.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Skolnik, Richard. Global Health 101. 4th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2020. Approx. $85 print, $50 digital rental.
2. Jacobsen, Kathryn H. Introduction to Global Health. 4th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2023. Approx. $90 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $90 to $135.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PUBH 210 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to explore country-level demographic profiles, identify relevant international health treaty timelines, brainstorm policy stakeholder perspectives, and polish draft narrative sections for clarity and flow.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write your comparative health systems analysis, formulate global policy recommendations, generate falsified epidemiological indicators, or complete weekly quizzes and examinations. Submitting AI-generated policy briefs violates academic standards.
• Disclosure: All submitted country case studies and policy proposals must feature an AI disclosure note stating which generative AI tools were consulted and the exact prompts submitted. If no AI tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Comparative Health Systems Country Profile Paper: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Global Health Intervention Policy Proposal: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Global Health Reading & Case Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Examination: 20% (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in this course.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and meaningful participation are vital. Our class analyzes real-world case dilemmas involving international health systems, humanitarian crises, and ethical trade-offs. If an illness or unforeseen circumstance prevents you from attending, notify Dr. Duval before class. More than three unexcused absences will result in a lower participation score. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Assignments submitted past the deadline incur a 10% penalty per calendar day up to three days. Submissions more than 72 hours late receive no credit. Weekly Canvas quizzes must be submitted by Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Public Health Major Passing Grade

Students majoring in Public Health must achieve a grade of C or higher in PUBH 210 to satisfy degree requirements. Courses with grades below C cannot be counted toward the major.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).