Climate Change and Global Health Equity

This course explores the impact of climate change on global health equity, with physical, mental, and social dimensions of health and well-being. With a global perspective and thematic focus on social determinants of health, health equity and climate justice, students will learn about climate-related vulnerabilities of different population groups with respect to age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, migration/legal status, chronic health conditions, and disability. The course will specifically focus on community participatory and co-design approaches aiming to decrease the negative health impacts of climate change and to promote health equity by involving populations in conditions of vulnerability in research, advocacy, policy, and practice. 

The course will include interactive theoretical discussions, small group work, role-plays, and simulations, as well as student-led seminars, and talks by guest speakers including members of communities with vulnerabilities. During the course, students will work in small groups to develop project proposals on research, advocacy, training or practice to decrease climate-related global health inequities with evidence-based approaches that include community engagement, community empowerment, health impact assessment, and/or intersectoral collaboration. The course will aim to improve students’ knowledge and skills to differentiate between whole population vs. target population approaches, to reverse stigma and discrimination towards certain groups and to advocate for global health equity, by using community participatory, interdisciplinary and intersectoral approaches.