HL 340 - Public Health Dynamics in Southern Africa

This course aims at providing insights into the public health issues and dynamics within the South African context. This course will explore the political and socio-economic context of South Africa, the prevailing quadruple burden of diseases, contributing factors related to healthcare delivery and health systems. Further, the course will examine interactions between communities, health and social care environments, and the organizations providing and regulating health service as well as contemporary issues, including social action, empowerment, community and political leadership development, and advocacy. Political and socio-economic lenses will be used throughout the course to discuss the social and economic impact of health in South Africa. The South African healthcare system, including efforts made to transform it through significant political changes, HIV/AIDS, TB, chronic and infectious diseases, as well as their prevention, treatment and health promotion will be covered. This course will also include exposure to a variety of health-related environments, as well as traditional medicine and its contributions to healthcare delivery in South Africa.