IR218: Global Health and Development in a Changing World

What are the biggest challenges to achieving health equity, and how can they be addressed in a rapidly changing world?

This course offers a dynamic and comprehensive introduction to the systems and politics of global health in low and middle-income countries. You will examine critical challenges, including pandemics, ageing populations, pharmaceutical innovation, and the climate crisis, alongside the key determinants of health and their consequences for development.

Through a critical lens, you will explore policies designed to improve health and development, the barriers to their implementation, and practical strategies to overcome these obstacles. Topics include global health governance, universal health coverage, health system strengthening, and the politics of disease burdens. The course also considers the impacts of migration, conflict, and climate change on health.

Led by expert faculty, you will develop the skills to synthesise evidence, challenge conventional thinking, and advocate for health equity through principles of social justice, equality, and human rights.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in either social science (e.g. political science, international relations, sociology, economics), history or law.

Level: 200 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: 1,200 word essay (25%), and final exam (75%).

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course would be of interest to students in medical degrees, students interested in public health, health policy, global health and international development. Possible career pathways include entering organisations such as WHO, WB, Gates Foundation, MSF and consultancies among others.

The course will help equip students with the skills needed to work in and improve mainstream global health organisations such as the WHO, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and MSF among others. These skills include synthesizing diverse evidence and perspectives and generating powerful insights to help tackle complex global health challenges.

By the end of the course students will have an overall understanding of:

• Basic concepts on data and measurement in global health
• The politics of global health
• The mechanisms of prioritization of diseases in global health
• The current debates on the major issues surrounding health systems and universal health coverage
• The role of pharmaceuticals in global health and the challenges to improving innovation of and access to new drugs

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.