Explore UCD

UCD Home >

NMHS10560

Academic Year 2025/2026

Introduction to Global Health (NMHS10560)

Subject:
Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Brynne Gilmore
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Global health is a field of study, research, and practice focusing on people's health worldwide and beyond national boundaries. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of people's health worldwide and how factors outside the national environment may shape the healthcare experience and outcomes.

This elective module aims to introduce students to key topics and concepts in global health, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By building an understanding of health and health systems for persons in under-resourced contexts, with a particular focus on health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this module provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about key issues in health affecting people across the globe.

This module will bring in expertise from across UCD to focus on aspects of global health, including health systems, gender, global health in humanitarian settings, non-communicable diseases, major infectious diseases (malaria, TB, and HIV), maternal and child health, emerging infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola), and One-health.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

This course utilises blended and various teaching methods, including online lectures, online independent learning, and three in-person practical sessions to address the learning outcomes. On completion of the module, the student will be able to:

- Outline key issues in global health, with particular focus on health in low- and middle-income countries
- Discuss inequalities and identify examples of how inequalities influence the health and well-being of persons globally
- Analyse the Sustainable Development Goals and other relevant global approaches for Global Health (i.e. Universal Health Coverage, Primary Health Care)
- Define and discuss the roles of key actors and networks within global health
- Based on a case study of a particular topic in global health, demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of global health

Indicative Module Content:

Three key components will be covered within this module, and within each of these specific topics.
1. Introduction to Key Concepts in Global Health
- What is Global Health? Current and historical trends
- Contemporary Initiatives - Universal Health Coverage and SDGs
- Global Health Landscape - stakeholders, financing, governance and policy
2. Global Burden of Disease
- Overview and trends
- NCDs and environmental health
- Malaria, HIV and TB
- RMNCHN
3. Special Topics
- Outbreaks and pandemics
- Global Health in Emergency and Humanitarian Contexts
- Refugee health and social justice
4. Closing
- Ethics and global health
- Opportunities in Global Health and wrap-up

Throughout the course, the two main threshold concepts within global health will be featured and used to guide our learning: Social Determinants of Health, and Power, Inequity and Ethics.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Practical

4
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Online Learning

20
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Self-directed learning.
Critical Reflection.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in class activities with short exercises for completion.
Week 4, Week 8 Other No
15
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online short exercises at two-time points.
Worth 10 marks/percentage each. Will assess students critical engagement with the topics.		 Week 5, Week 9 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (Online): MCQ and short answer closed-book, online and timed exam.
Will occur at end of term to assess student's learning outcomes for all module content and concepts.		 End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
65
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Ikenna Ebuenyi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.