Health in Humanitarian Crisis (MHV203)

The objective of the course is to equip the students with concepts and perspectives in assessing and analyzing health needs in humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian crises due to global, national and local disease outbreaks, natural disasters, conflicts and other social and political instability are critical threats to health, both physical, psychological and social. Both slow and sudden crises cause vulnerability and fragility globally. The growing impact of crises on health and public health systems and local communities has generated a need for professionals who are able to understand and respond adequately to the complexity in these crises. The complexity of crisis affects all sectors of the society also the living condition of all groups, particular vulnerable groups including people with disabilities; rehabilitation systems; the school system and work opportunities. The civil sectors resources are also challenged, and this may contribute to increased inequality and exclusions mechanism in the broad practice of inclusive citizenship.

The course is based on a comprehensive understanding of health according to WHO definition. Further, the course is based on resilience approach, building on the resources of the individual, social networks and local community, considered the specific cultural context. The right to fully experience both civil, political and social citizenship rights is emphasized.

The course is conducted digital.

• Humanitarian crises and complex emergencies.
• Health challenges and health care in humanitarian crises
• Health challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Resilience theory and methods.
• Theories of development and democracy strengthening.
• Ethical principles, human rights and main legal framework in humanitarian crises
• Determinants of health, and health systems anchored in specific political, socio-economic, cultural and epidemiological settings during humanitarian crises.
• Methods in community work/community building, participatory action research with the communities to understand theories of justice to strengthening inclusive and activist's citizenship practices.
• Global partners in health: Global health architecture and governance, and the roles and interplay of transnational, governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge:

The candidate:

• Has advanced knowledge in the field of global health as a multidisciplinary and multisectoral field during humanitarian crisis.
• Can analyze central characteristics of humanitarian crisis.
• Has advanced knowledge about determinants of health, and health systems anchored in specific political, socio-economic, cultural and epidemiological settings during humanitarian crisis.
• Has thorough knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals related to major health challenges in humanitarian crisis and the goals importance for national priority setting.

Skills:

The candidate:

• Can apply a resilience and citizenship perspective and relevant theories assessing health needs to case studies in humanitarian crisis.
• Can design a plan of action responding to specific health needs on various levels, either from individual, community and/or transnational perspectives.
• Can analyze strategies for health recovery during humanitarian crisis in specific political, socio-economic, cultural and epidemiological settings.

General Competence:

The candidate:

• Can apply relevant knowledge and skills related to analyzing and responding to health needs in humanitarian crisis in various settings.
• Can communicate and discuss health strategies in humanitarian crisis.
• Can analyze relevant academical and professional health related ethical issues and be able to use main legal instruments that are the basis for decision making in humanitarian crisis.

Ingen

Discussion paper

1500 words +/- 10% , passed / failed. The paper can be delivered individually or by a group (2-3 persons)

Discussion paper must be passed before the student can take the individual oral examination

Online lectures, group work, case studies and self-study.

The course is optional for students at the Master degree programs in Health Sciences and students with a health background at the Master degree program in Societal safety (UiS), and for students at the Master’ degree programs in Citizenship and Co-operation within public health and rehabilitation, Master in Community Development and Social Innovation, students with a health and social background at the Master in Intercultural Work (VID).

Students with a Bachelor’s degree in health and social sciences can apply for admission to the course

The course is optional for students at the Master degree programs in Health Sciences and students with a health background at the Master degree program in Societal safety (UiS), and for students at the Master’ degree programs in Citizenship and Co-operation within public health and rehabilitation, Master in Community Development and Social Innovation, students with a health and social background at the Master in Intercultural Work (VID).

Students with a Bachelor’s degree in health and social sciences can apply for admission to the course

The faculty decides whether early dialogue will be held in all courses or in selected groups of courses. The aim is to collect student feedback for improvements during the semester. In addition, a digital course evaluation must be conducted at least every three years to gather students’ experiences.

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The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1