Robert M. Lawrence, MD
College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
International Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Americas
International Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Americas is a new course for Health Science Center students designed to provide an overview of international health issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be taught collaboratively by an interdisciplinary faculty from the HSC colleges.
Objectives for the course include; identifying key determinants of health and disparities in health care, developing deeper cultural awareness of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering better understanding of how to provide ethnically and culturally appropriate health care and preparing students for international health trips during school and into the future. Course content will provide general concepts concerning; population-based measures of health, public health care systems, health priorities, promotion and disparities, the connection between disease in animals and humans, pharmacy issues and challenges in “resource-poor” countries and the role of agencies and organizations as partners in international health.
Three to six students from each HSC college with planned participation in an interdisciplinary or intra-college international health trip will be selected by their college’s faculty to make up the 30-40 students in the class.
The curriculum award will be used to produce the course materials and for support staff to facilitate the coordination and organization of the course within the HSC colleges.
The course is intended to add to the knowledge base and build the skills and competency of HSC students for international health care work.