Handbook

In this course, students will explore important issues in women’s and children’s health globally and examine their contextual determinants. Through case studies and analysis, students will develop a deep understanding of the importance of addressing priority health concerns for these populations and examine public health approaches to the provision of health information and services for women and children in diverse contexts. A focus on the relationship between course content and application to practice is embedded, as are reflections on the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving Universal Health Coverage through equity and rights-based approaches.

The course takes a life-course approach to women’s and children’s health, moving from maternal and reproductive health, through newborn and child health and development, to adolescent health, and finally to priority women’s health issues.  Each week provides an overview of key health concerns relevant to that week’s topic area, and students conduct an exploration of the social and cultural determinants of these health issues, followed by a discussion of public health approaches to address these determinants and health outcomes. Social justice, equity and rights-based frameworks are applied to learning and discussion throughout the course.