PUBLIC HEALTH IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES (UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND)

Course: Public Health In Humanitarian Crises
Credits: 5 ECTS
Time: 04.10.-20.11.2011
Coordinating University: The University of Eastern Finland
Course coordinator and registration: Paola Kontro,University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health e-mail: paola.kontro@uef.fi
Course director: Juhani Miettola, University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health e-mail: juhani.miettola@uef.fi
Teaching language: English
Registration Deadline: 30.9.2011
 
The course is organized in collaboration with Aleksanteri Institute, UniPId Virtual Studies and DPPH Doctoral Programs in Public Health.  
 
This is an internet course for students who cannot participate in the contact sessions held in Kuopio. UEF students are strongly encouraged to participate in the contact sessions.
 
Guest  Speakers of the course:
-Mr. Pekka Haavisto, MP, Parliament of Finland, Human rights in conflict situations
-Ms. Tuula Tuhkanen, PhD, Water and sanitation in extreme conditions
 
Learning outcomes:
The course will strengthen understanding of:
  • Causes (natural, man-made) of humanitarian crises and disasters and their impact on people's health.
  • Public health consequences of humanitarian crises caused by natural disasters, man-made disasters, wars or conflicts.
  • Specific challenges of public health in complex emergencies.
  • Water supply and sanitation in extreme conditions.
  • Importance of disaster preparedness.
  • Management strategies of humanitarian crises situations with national and international efforts.
Content:
1. Introduction to humanitarian crises
  • History, trends and causes of humanitarian crises
  • Public health threats in humanitarian crises
  • Disasters and ecosystems
2. Humanitarian crises, actors, collaboration and financing
3. International laws, human rights and right to health in humanitarian crises
4. Organizing health care in humanitarian crises
  • Disaster preparedness
  • Health care and crisis situation
  • Transition from relief to rehabilitation
5. Research and humanitarian crises

Learning Material:

Learning methods: The course includes both contact teaching and web-based teaching in Moodle environment. All learning material is available in Moodle. It is possible to complete the whole course as a remote student through internet (Moodle).

Web-based learning:

  • Video lectures
  • Lecture notes
  • Independent case study (Humanitarian crisis in Libya)

Assessment: There is no course examination. The course scoring is based on evaluation of the course assignments. Numeric grading: 1-5.