Fall 2020  |  PA 8461 Section 001: Global and U.S. Perspectives on Health and Mortality (33674)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option No Audit
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
Completely Online
Class Attributes:
Online Course
Enrollment Requirements:
Graduate Student
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/08/2020 - 12/16/2020
Tue, Thu 02:30PM - 03:45PM
Off Campus
UMN REMOTE
Enrollment Status:
Open (10 of 20 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
The health of populations in developing and developed countries is very different. Within countries, great health disparities exist between more advantaged and more disadvantaged populations. When crafting policies that aim to improve population health, it is crucial to know how to measure health and how to think about the health needs of the specific population in question. This course will provide an overview to the factors driving health, mortality, and aging across different populations. In addition, students will learn the best sources of data and measures to use to describe the health status of a population. They will also be able to assess policy options that address the health of their population.
Class Notes:
PA 8461 will be offered REMOTELY. Class will meet synchronously-online during Fall 2020, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 2:30 - 3:45. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?dorelien+PA8461+Fall2020
Class Description:
COVID-19 Update: The current pandemic reminds us that demography matters. This is especially the case when trying to understand differences in case fatality rates between countries; or how differences in social mixing patterns between different age groups (ex Italy vs Germany) influences the epidemic. I will be modifying the syllabus to spend more time focused on emerging infectious diseases and also include some COVID-19 specific case studies throughout the syllabus (for instance when discussing factors to think about when trying to calculate diseases attributable mortality rates).
The health of populations in developing and developed countries is very different. When crafting policies that aim to improve population health, it is crucial to know how to measure health and how to think about the health needs of the specific population in question. This course will provide an overview to the factors driving health, mortality, and aging across different populations. In addition, students will learn the best sources of data and measures to use to describe the health status of a population. Furthermore, students will be able to assess policy options that address the health of their population. At the end of the course, students will know answers to questions such as: What are the major causes of death in developed vs. developing nations? Why is life expectancy at birth often used to describe the health of a population? Will we continue to live longer or is there a limit to increases in life expectancy? And what are the implications of longer and healthier lives for the viability of social security and other public policies? Will women always live longer than men? Is socio-economic status positively correlated with health, worldwide?
Who Should Take This Class?:
This course is designed for both PhD and Masters students. It counts towards the completion of the Population Studies Minor, Training Program in Population Studies or Population Health. This course is also considered a course in the Global Policy Area.
Grading:

· Problem sets/ short responses (40%)

· Leading class discussion (20%)

· Final Paper Presentation (10%), Final Paper (30%)
Exam Format:
No final exam but there will be a final paper and presentation.
Class Format:
This fall the class will be taught online.

Tuesday and Thursdays from 2:30 pm to 3:45pm.
No Thursday class the week of Thanksgiving.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/33674/1209
Past Syllabi:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/dorelien_PA8461_Fall2018.docx (Fall 2018)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/dorelien_PA8461_Fall2016.pdf (Fall 2016)
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
29 June 2020

ClassInfo Links - Fall 2020 Public Affairs Classes

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