School of Public Health and Health Services Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Department of Global Health

Transcription

1 Program Director Jay Graham, PhD, MBA, MPH Assistant Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health and of Global Health 100 M Street NW, Suite 0M Washington, DC 007 Tel: Fax: jgraham@gwu.edu Mission School of Public Health and Health Services Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Department of Global Health Master of Public Health Global Environmental Health Note: All curriculum revisions will be updated immediately on the website The Mission of the Global Environmental Health MPH program a joint program between the Departments of Global Health and Environmental and Occupational Health is to educate individuals who are committed to working in resource-poor settings and applying analytic skills to prevent or mitigate the adverse impact of environmental hazards on human health. The program has a particular focus on traditional environmental health hazards that is, health risks that are a consequence of lack of access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, indoor air pollution, solid waste disposal, and vector-borne diseases such as malaria. Goals Our graduates will hold a multidisciplinary knowledge base and skill set that will provide them a framework for addressing environmental health issues from environmentally mediated disease in the poorest performing regions of the world. They will understand the scientific and cultural foundations of environmental health in order to: Assess environmental exposures and understand the effects of these exposures on human health; Interpret epidemiologic and other research findings related to global environmental health risks; and Assume leadership roles in designing, implementing and evaluating programs that focus on modification of environmental health-related behaviors at local, regional, national and/or global levels. Course Requirements All GW School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) MPH students who select the Global Environmental Health program enroll in Core Courses (15 credits), Program-Specific Courses (0 credits), and Electives (6 credits). The total 45 credit degree program also includes a Practicum ( credits) and a Culminating Experience ( credits) where students apply their didactic education in a real world setting. Program-Specific Competencies Upon Completion of the MPH Program in Global Environmental Health, students should possess the following functional competencies. Assess environmental and occupational hazards using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Students will be able to assess human exposures to environmental and occupational hazards for the purposes of evaluating human health hazards, conducting epidemiological research, and preventing and controlling hazards. Students will be able to address both long-established environmental risk factors, such as unsafe water and air pollution, as well as emerging environmental risks, such as climate change. Relevant courses: 611, 616, 618, 611, Updated March 01

2 Interpret epidemiologic and other research findings related to global environmental health risks, and assist in designing and conducting research. Students will be able to critically assess existing epidemiologic research, to assist in designing and carrying out appropriate studies for investigating environmental health problems, to conceptualize data analysis to address study goals, and to utilize appropriate approaches to manage and analyze data. Relevant courses: 611, 618, 611, Critically analyze relevant information in order to design and implement mitigation measures for environmental and occupational health risks, while also addressing underlying vulnerabilities. Students will be able to synthesize relevant information, including qualitative and quantitative data, for the purposes of designing mitigation strategies to reduce and prevent environmental and occupational disease and injury. Students should be able to understand and compare the determinants of health in different regions of the world, including the: historical, economic, social and cultural, and political. Relevant courses: 616, 618, 61, 6400, 6401, Identify ethical issues in environmental health research, policy and practice. Students will be able to discuss how scientific principles and societal values such as equity and environmental justice influence decision-making about environmental and occupational health problems in research, public health practice, policy, and management contexts. Relevant courses: 611, 618. Apply the principles of epidemiology, economic and social development, policy and political analysis to the identification, classification and elaboration of global health threats and opportunities at the community, national and international levels. Students will be able assess the global burden of disease through multiple frames, including: natural resources, health economics, infectious and chronic disease, nutrition, unintentional and intentional injury, culture, social and political organization, humanitarian emergencies and international organizations. They will be able to apply different frameworks to the description, analysis and critique of new global health issues; and draw from various authoritative data sources and basic epidemiological, socio-cultural and economic principles to assess and describe the health situation in a given country or major state. Relevant courses: 6400, 61. Assess the functions, capacities, management and governance of governmental, international and non-state organizations in the translation of scientific and program evidence to inform public health policy making and strategy development. Students should be able to demonstrate their understanding of the responsibilities, structure, focus and modus operandi of the legislative, advocacy and program evaluation actors in the Washington global health policy arena; their knowledge of the major institutions in the global environmental health field; and how those major institutions work together and independently to influence the direction of global environmental health policy and the shape of programs. Students should also be able to apply this knowledge to the design and analysis of advocacy for policy and programmatic change. Relevant courses: 61, 6400, 6401, 640. Potential Culminating Experiences (actual projects completed and underway, as well as illustrative examples): Exploring Changes in Open Defecation Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa based on National Level Indices Water Collection in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Do Increases in Access to Protected Sources Lead to a Decrease in Water Collection Times? A Study of 19 Sub-Saharan African Countries Examining Household Barriers to Latrine Access in Rural Tanzania Integration of WASH Interventions into HIV Treatment Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa Changes in Access to Sanitation and Water Supply in 1 Cities of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Study of Contributing Factors Evaluation of a Clean Cookstove Intervention in Nigeria Examining the Role of the Health Sector in Reducing Time and Energy Spent Collecting Solid Fuel and Mitigating Health Outcomes Associated with Indoor Air Pollution Factors Determining Success or Failure of Market-based Technologies for Environmental Health Hazards in Lowincome Countries Cookstoves, Greenhouse Gasses, and Global Climate Change: A Case Study in sub-saharan Africa The Economics of Collecting, Transporting, and Treating Human Excreta from On-site Sanitation Systems in Urban Settings Assessing the Microbial Risks Associated with Animal Wastes from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Water Quality Assessment of Streams Impacted by Large-scale Poultry Operations Please see the curriculum sheets that follow. Updated March 01

3 School of Public Health and Health Services Master of Public Health Global Environmental Health Program-at-a-Glance Begin Planning Your Culminating Project 11-1 Months Prior to Program Completion Required Core Courses Required Core Course Credits Semester Offered Grade 6001 Biological Concepts for Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer I 600 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk 600 Principles and Practice of Epidemiology Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk 6004 Environmental & Occupational Health in a Sustainable Fall, Spring, Summer I World 6006 Management & Policy Approaches to Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk 6007 Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 1 Total Core Credits 15 Required EOH Courses Required EOH Specific Courses Credits Semester Offered Grade 611 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Fall 618 Global Environmental and Occupational Health Fall 616 Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards Fall 611 Applied Data Analysis in EOH Spring ( 641 can be substituted with advisor s consent) 61 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in Disaster 1 Fall Relief and Development Total EOH Required Credits 11 Required GH Courses Required GH Specific Courses Credits Semester Offered Grade 6400 Global Health Frameworks Fall 6401 Comparative Regional Determinants of Health Spring 640 Global Health Policy and Practice: Washington Seminar Fall, Spring 6411 Global Health Qualitative Research Methods Spring, Summer Total GH Required Credits 9 Elective Courses (Select 6 credits from this list) 61 Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy Spring 615 Introduction to Children s Health and the Environment Fall 617 Applied Environmental Health Microbiology Spring 610 Sustainable Energy and Environment Fall 61 Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Health Summer I 614 Communicating Science for Public Health Spring 66 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 1 Summer, Fall, Spring 671 Disaster Epidemiology: Methods and Applications 1 Summer 645 Global Health Program Development & Implementation Spring, Summer 647 Global Health Program Evaluation Fall 6480 Humanitarian Operations Fall Practicum and Culminating Experience Practicum See Advisor Culminating Experience See Advisor Total 45 Updated March 01

4 Global Environmental Health Advising Tips NOTE: Always see your advisor for course scheduling and sequencing strategies, but remember that proper course selection, fulfilling requirements, and on-time graduation are your responsibilities. The Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum consists of four types of courses: Required Core Courses ( 6001, 600, 600, 6004, 6006, and 6007) Required Program-Specific Courses in EOH and Global Health Electives Chosen from a List of Program-Relevant Courses Required Practicum and Culminating Experience The MPH core courses are designed to provide students with a broad public health context as well as a critical foundation for subsequent coursework. Early completion of these core courses ensures that students will have the base of knowledge to successfully complete the program specific courses and to get as much as possible out of them. As such, entering students are expected to enroll in MPH core courses in accordance with the following guidelines: We expect MPH students to complete the MPH core courses in their first year of graduate study (fall/spring/summer). Students may take core courses in any order. Part-time students (who generally take 5 to 7 credits per semester) will typically concentrate on taking just core courses in their first year, and then take program-specific courses in their second and third years. In order to help assure that all students complete core courses in the first year of study, SPHHS will offer all core courses during all three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). This will allow students who wish to complete their MPH degree within two years to do so, and will allow every student to make steady progress toward completing the MPH degree. We recognize that there may be exceptional circumstances that make it difficult for a student to complete core courses in the first year as outlined above. Any such student should discuss this situation with his or her academic advisor. For additional information and resources regarding registration, course descriptions, schedule of classes, etc. follow this link: Table 1 presents a sample course schedule for full-time Global Environmental Health MPH students. It is noteworthy that fully 45 credits are required, including core courses (15 credits), required program specific courses, including 11 EOH and 9 GH credits, elective credits chosen from a list of program-relevant courses (6 credits), and the practicum ( credits) and culminating experience ( credits). Updated March 01

5 Graduation Requirements for an MPH Updated March 01 School of Public Health and Health Services Master of Public Health Global Environmental Health Note: All curriculum revisions will be updated immediately on the website 1. Graduate Credit Requirement. 45 graduate credits are required.. Course Requirements. Successful completion of the Core Courses and the Program-Specific Courses are required.. Grade Point Requirement. A.0 (B average) overall grade point average is required. 4. Time Limit Requirement. The degree must be completed within four years. 5. Transfer Credit Policy. Up to 1 graduate credits that have not been applied to a previous graduate degree may be transferred to the MPH. Up to 18 credits may be transferred to the MPH from the SPHHS Graduate Certificate. Credits must have been earned from an accredited institution in the last years with a grade point of.0 or better Biological Concepts for Public Health Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Principles and Practice of Epidemiology Environmental and Occupational Health in a Sustainable World 6006 Management and Policy Approaches to Public Health Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health Core Courses 15 credits Provides an overview of current knowledge about biological mechanisms of major diseases causing death and disability in the US and globally; understanding and interpreting the reciprocal relationships of genetic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health and disease in an ecologic context; analyzing, discussing, and communicating biologic principles of disease from a public health perspective. Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer Application of biostatistical principles to critical analysis of retrospective studies, prospective studies, and controlled clinical trials, as well as studies in the health services literature. Selection, basic calculations, and interpretation of statistical methods for detection of significant associations and differences. Summer, Fall, Spring General principles, methods, and applications of epidemiology. Outbreak investigations, measures of disease frequency, standardization of disease rates, study design, measures of association, hypothesis testing, bias, effect modification, causal inference, disease screening, and surveillance. Case studies apply these concepts to a variety of infectious, acute, and chronic health conditions affecting the population. Summer, Fall, Spring Examines the connection between population health and exposures to chemical, physical, and biological agents in the environment. Through the use of problem-solving frameworks, students will become familiar with data sources, methodologies and policy approaches being used to address the public health impacts of environmental and occupational health hazards, including the consequences of climate change, natural resource degradation, and industrial chemicals. The course will integrate key concepts of environmental health with principles of sustainability to illustrate how public policies and practices on the local, national and global level affect population health. Summer, Fall, Spring An introduction to basic principles, concepts and skills related to public health management and policy. The course is divided into three sections focusing on management and policy approaches to public health at three different levels: the system, the organization, and the group/individual level. Summer, Fall, Spring Emphasizes social and behavioral science theories, models, and concepts that can be applied to public health problems and interventions. Describes the role of social and community factors, including race/ethnicity and culture, in both the onset and solution of public health problems and describe the inter-relationship between the social/behavioral sciences. Summer, Fall, Spring

6 EOH Required Program-Specific Courses 11 Credits 611 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Epidemiologic methods for the study of environmental and occupational health problems. Epidemiologic exposure assessment methods and methods relevant to cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and cluster investigation studies. Sources of and evaluation of biases and confounding, as well as survey and questionnaire design. Prerequisites: 600, 600, Fall 616 Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards Introduces the anticipation, recognition, assessment, and control of hazards in the workplace and the ambient environment. It emphasizes an understanding of the characteristic features of specific hazards, which may be chemical, biological, or physical/ergonomic. Fall 618 Global Environmental and Occupational Health Examines environmental and occupational health issues at various stages in the development process. Students will study both long-established environmental risk factors, such as water, sanitation and hygiene and indoor air pollution, as well as emerging environmental risks, such as climate change. The course provides students with an understanding of how to design, implement, monitor and evaluate programs to reduce the impact of these factors. Prerequisites: 6004, Spring. 611 Applied Data Analysis for EOH Apply biostatistical concepts & methods to analysis of EOH data. Students manage datasets, conduct data analyses using Stata, present data graphically, & interpret data for relevance to EOH research, policy & practice. Skills developed and practiced will help students synthesize data, consider findings in terms of risk management options, and communicate findings for intended audiences. Prerequisites: 600, 600, Spring. ( 641, Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis can be substituted with advisor s consent) 61 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in Disaster Relief and Development 1 Designed for students who will be working in both disaster and development settings of developing countries where contaminated water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene (WaSH) are the cause of serious health problems. In this course, fundamental concepts will be taken from the classroom to the field so that students can get first hand experience applying WaSH methods. It emphasizes the need to develop effective, appropriate, accessible and affordable WaSH interventions to reduce the global burden of disease. Prerequisites: 6004, Fall GH Required Program-Specific Courses 6400 Global Health Frameworks Comparative Regional Determinants of Health Global Health Policy and Practice: Washington Seminar Global Health Qualitative Research Methods 9 Credits Provides a foundation of the various frameworks and techniques used to study global health. The frameworks examined will include epidemiology, anthropology, economics, human rights, and ethics among others. The perspectives studied will provide an introduction and understanding of how global health issues are framed, structured and presented. Fall Examines the set of social, cultural and economic issues most central to shaping health in each of the world s main regions. Prerequisite: Spring This seminar course will provide an overview of global health policy and practice institutional resources in Washington DC. The course is designed to gain an understanding of how global health issues are framed, presented and biased in a multi-institutional setting. This is a collaborative learning exercise where simple web based tools will be used to develop a virtual classroom of the current global health policy and practice dialogue among Washington DC based governmental, multilateral, NGO, private sector and policy institutes. Fall, Spring Provides further depth to understand data collection in a global health setting. Methodologies include survey design, interviewing, and participant observation. Archival research and clinical trial research will also be discussed. Prerequisites: 600, 6410 (or 611). Spring, Summer Updated March 01

7 Electives 6 credits With your advisor, select courses from this list that are most relevant to your area of focus Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy Introduction to Children's Health and the Environment Applied Environmental Health Microbiology Sustainable Energy and the Environment 61 Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Health 614 Communicating Science for Public Health Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Disaster Epidemiology: Methods and Applications Global Health Program Development and Introduction to principles of toxicology with emphasis on concepts most relevant in risk assessment, management, and communication; and public health policy. Spring Describes the impact of environmental toxicants on children s health and reviews some of the major policy issues in the field of children s environmental health. Prerequisite: Fall Basics of public health microbiology as it relates to the environment, food, water, and bioterrorism. Applies principles of microbiology to current and emerging public health issues stemming from intentional or unintentional contamination of the environment. Specific topics will include: industrial animal production and increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance; effectiveness of various point of use technologies for water purification; recent advances in quantitative microbial risk assessment; one medicine (where public and veterinary health meet); detection strategies for microorganisms; and current approaches in food defense and agroterrorism. Prerequisite: Spring Public health professions play a vital role in shaping sustainable energy strategies in the context of environment & human health impacts. Sustainability of various energy strategies including energy conservation, green building principles and renewable energy. Mitigation & adaption policies for climate change. Emphasizes the life cycle framework which focuses on natural resource depletion, water & energy consumption as well as air, water & solid waste pollutant emissions. Prerequisite: Fall Students will explore the drivers of climate change and its outcomes with particular focus on the health dimensions. The course will have three phases: 1) Introduction, Drivers and Obstacles to Mitigation, ) Vulnerability, Inequality and Adapting to Inevitable Climate Impacts, and ) Solutions: Technical and Social. In the process, students will explore the ways in which social structural, normative, institutional, and behavioral factors influence the societal patterns that shapes the causes and consequences of climate change. Prerequisite: Summer I - 6 week. Science-based research is the foundation to successful public health interventions, but research findings must be effectively communicated to the public health community, policymakers, and the general public before they can affect practice. Students will learn how to evaluate the primary scientific literature and communicate research findings in outlets ranging from peer-reviewed journals to 140 character Tweets. Students will learn to identify their target audience and shape their message to maximize impact, while staying true to the supporting evidence. Written and oral communication as well as critical evaluation will be emphasized. Prerequisites: 600, 600. Spring 1 1 Geographic information systems (GIS) for mapping and display of health data. The course makes use of ArcGIS 8.. The use of spatial statistics for the detection of clusters and patterns in the spread of diseases. Working with geodatabases, shape files, layers, query information from attribute tables, geocode addresses and customizing GIS applications. Summer, Fall, Spring The course is an introduction to disaster epidemiology. This course will focus on the applications of epidemiologic methods to the study of public health consequences of disasters. The course will highlight key skills that an epidemiologist would need to be part of a response and recovery and will identify methodological issues for future work. Prerequisites: 600, 600 Basic concepts and principles of program development and implementation including data collection methods, program evaluation, decision making, and problem-solving techniques. Application of program development Updated March 01

8 647 Implementation Global Health Program Evaluation 6480 Humanitarian Operations techniques to specific interventions. Prerequisite: 6400, Corequisite: 600. Spring, Summer Students will gain skills in the fundamentals of program evaluation and monitoring methods. Students will also understand the evaluation aspects of major international health programs such as the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President s Malaria Initiative. Country-specific case studies will be used as synthesizing tools to review major concepts and assess student knowledge of key concepts. Prerequisites: 6400, 645, 6411, 641 (or equivalent), Fall Analyzes, through a variety of modules, including security institutions, vulnerable groups, humanitarian operations and natural disasters and global security, the impact of global health threats such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, avian flu, tuberculosis and malaria on security institutions, vulnerable populations, civil/military cooperation, and humanitarian operations. The course will also explore the potential value of these institutions in mitigating global health threats and responding to humanitarian emergencies. The course will examine a range of scientific, policy, and program interventions designed to address these issues. Prerequisite: 6400 Fall Practicum and Culminating Experience 4 credits Provides the opportunity for MPH students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their programs of study. A planned, supervised and evaluated practice experience that is relevant to the student's program is an essential component of a public health professional degree program. These opportunities can take place in a variety of agencies or organizations. Each program customizes Practicum requirements to meet students needs. (Credit/No Credit) Summer, Fall, Spring Practicum Culminating Experience A culminating experience requires students to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in coursework and other learning experiences and to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice. It is through this course that faculty evaluates the extent to which the student has mastered the body of knowledge and can demonstrate proficiency in the required competencies. Each program customizes Culminating Experience requirements to meet students needs. Summer, Fall, Spring Updated March 01

9 Global Environmental Health Advising Tips NOTE: Always see your advisor for course scheduling and sequencing strategies, but remember that proper course selection, fulfilling requirements, and on-time graduation are your responsibilities. The Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum consists of four types of courses: Required Core Courses ( 6001, 600, 600, 6004, 6006, and 6007) Required Program-Specific Courses in EOH and Global Health Electives Chosen from a List of Program-Relevant Courses Required Practicum and Culminating Experience The MPH core courses are designed to provide students with a broad public health context as well as a critical foundation for subsequent coursework. Early completion of these core courses ensures that students will have the base of knowledge to successfully complete the program specific courses and to get as much as possible out of them. As such, entering students are expected to enroll in MPH core courses in accordance with the following guidelines: We expect MPH students to complete the MPH core courses in their first year of graduate study (fall/spring/summer). Students may take core courses in any order. Part-time students (who generally take 5 to 7 credits per semester) will typically concentrate on taking just core courses in their first year, and then take program-specific courses in their second and third years. In order to help assure that all students complete core courses in the first year of study, SPHHS will offer all core courses during all three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). This will allow students who wish to complete their MPH degree within two years to do so, and will allow every student to make steady progress toward completing the MPH degree. We recognize that there may be exceptional circumstances that make it difficult for a student to complete core courses in the first year as outlined above. Any such student should discuss this situation with his or her academic advisor. For additional information and resources regarding registration, course descriptions, schedule of classes, etc. follow this link: Table 1 presents a sample course schedule for full-time Global Environmental Health MPH students. It is noteworthy that fully 45 credits are required, including core courses (15 credits), required program specific courses, including 11 EOH and 9 GH credits, elective credits chosen from a list of program-relevant courses (6 credits), and the practicum ( credits) and culminating experience ( credits). See below. Updated March 01

10 GWU School of Public Health and Health Services MPH in Global Environmental Health (45 cr) Sample Schedule for -Year completion (Fall start / August completion & ). All course times are tentative. Semester Cr Course # Course Name Time Fall 1 st year 10 credits Spring 1 st year 10 credits Summer 1 st year 4 credits* Fall nd year credits* Spring nd year 8-9 credits* Summer nd year credits Electives* Electives* Electives* Principles and Practice of Epidemiology Environ & Occup Health in a Sustainable World Global Health Frameworks Social & Behavioral Approaches to Public Health Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Management and Policy Approaches to Public Health Global Health Policy and Practice: Washington Seminar Biological Concepts for Public Health -- plan Practicum -- Electives Practicum + Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology Global Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment & Control of Environmental Hazards Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WaSH) in Disaster Relief & Devel Electives -- plan Culminating Project and draft proposal -- Global Health Qualitative Research Methods Comparative Regional Determinants of Health Applied Data Analysis for EOH Remaining Electives -- work on Culminating Project Culminating Project + Complete by end of August. MPH!!!!! Yay!!! Tues 6:10 9:00 pm or Fri :10 6:00 pm Tues 4:10 6:00 pm Thurs 4:10 7:00 pm Weds :10 5:00 pm Thurs 6:10 8:00 pm To be scheduled Tues 4:10 6:00 pm Thurs 4:10 6:00 pm Mon/Wed 6:10 8:0 pm Weds 6:10 9:00 pm Tues 4:10 6:00 pm Mon 6:10 9:00 pm Fri 4:10 6:00 pm Weds 4:10 6:00 pm Mon 6:10 8:00 pm Thurs 4:10 6:00 pm & This program can be completed by May of the second year if planning and conduct of the Culminating Project are moved up by months. Your program includes 6 credits of electives to be chosen from the list above. With guidance from your advisor, complete these 6 credits in any combination during your second year. + Both the Practicum and the Culminating Experience require substantial lead time to plan. Make sure that you complete Practicum training and start planning your Practicum the semester before you wish to conduct it. Start planning your Culminating Experience 11-1 months before you plan to finish your MPH. Updated March 01