Dr Clare Wenham

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Global Health Policy. This course is available on the MSc in Health Data Science, MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in International Health Policy and MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically high. Places are allocated first to students in the Department of Health Policy and then on a first come first served basis.

Globalization has not only impacted on the nature of emerging global health but the policy responses to these challenges. This module critically examines the transnational institutions and actors involved in global health policy and the interplay between them. The governance of global health issues has traditionally been carried out by states and various United Nations agencies (namely, the World Health Organisation), but given the transboundary nature of many global health issues, a diverse range of actors, including the private sector, civil society organizations and national governments, are now integrally involved. The funding of global health programmes and policies, for example, has shifted from primarily bi-/multilateral donors to include private and public sectors and philanthropists in a global health governance mosaic. The module will use a number of case studies to examine the organisation and role of global health institutions, the challenges and opportunities presented by these governance arrangements, and their (intended and unintended) impacts on global health policy and practice. In doing so, the module will draw on contributions from a range of social sciences including sociology, political science and health services research.

This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars totalling a minimum 25 hours during Autumn Term. Seminars will be discussion-based and take place in small groups each week. 

There will be a departmental reading week in Week 6 of term.

One essay (1000 words) focusing on different approaches to framing global health

Frenk, J., & Moon, S. (2013). Governance challenges in global health. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(10), 936-942.

Taylor, S. (2018). ‘Global health’: meaning what?. BMJ Global Health, 3(2) e000843.

Davies, S. (2010). Global politics of health. Polity.

McInnes, C., & Lee, K. (2012). Global health and international relations. Polity.

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the AT.

One extended essay (4000 words) will be due at the end of AT. Essay questions will be provided at the start of the course, or students are welcome to select an essay topic of their choice, with approval from the course convener.