Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/international-health-regulations

Introduction

### Course Review: Global Health Security, Solidarity, and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations In today's interconnected world, the importance of global health security cannot be overstated. With the rise of pandemics and health emergencies affecting millions across borders, understanding the frameworks that guide international public health responses is crucial. The Coursera course titled **"Global Health Security, Solidarity, and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations"** offers an in-depth exploration of the International Health Regulations (IHR) through a six-week journey that covers historical perspectives, critical assessments, and future challenges in global health. #### Overview This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is designed for individuals interested in public health, international diplomacy, and the mechanisms that govern health security worldwide. The course aims to equip participants with a well-rounded understanding of the IHR, its evolution since its inception, and the multifaceted issues it addresses in a world of increasing mobility and health threats. #### Course Content The syllabus is a comprehensive guide through the various dimensions of the IHR, structured into several engaging modules: 1. **Introduction and Course Outline**: This module sets the stage, exploring the motivations behind the creation of the IHR and the initial discussions that led to its formation. It's a great start for beginners to understand the significance of international collaboration in public health. 2. **Historic Perspectives: IHR Articles & Procedures**: Here, learners delve into the pivotal 2005 revision of the IHR, examining the societal changes that necessitated it. Familiarizing students with the IHR's text lays a solid foundation for understanding the legal and procedural aspects of health regulations. 3. **Intersectorality of the IHR - Part 1: Health Threats Covered by the IHR**: This module draws connections between human and animal health, emphasizing how zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Zika can trigger international public health emergencies. Real-world examples effectively illustrate the practical application of the IHR. 4. **Intersectorality of the IHR - Part 2: Mobility, Trade, and National Security**: Students explore the broader implications of health events beyond health frameworks, including trade and national security. This is particularly pertinent as global interactions increase, making the case for robust health regulations even stronger. 5. **National Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation**: This module introduces the IHR Monitoring Framework, detailing how countries can assess and improve their health security preparedness. The focus on national planning highlights the importance of local action in global health frameworks. 6. **Challenges in the IHR Implementation: Ebola and WHO Reform**: A critical assessment of how well the IHR has been implemented in the real world, this module does not shy away from discussing the challenges faced by nations and the reforms introduced by the WHO in the wake of recent health crises. 7. **Conclusion and Final Quiz**: The closing module provides reflection opportunities and assesses the learners' understanding of the material covered, culminating in a rewarding educational experience. #### Learning Experience One of the standout features of this course is its engaging and informative presentation style. The use of real-world case studies and interactive elements helps to not just convey knowledge but also instill a sense of urgency and responsibility among learners. The course encourages participation from the global community of learners, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared purpose in addressing public health challenges. #### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone interested in global health security—students, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. It is particularly valuable for health professionals looking to deepen their understanding of international health frameworks and policymakers seeking insights into effective health regulation practices. With the rise of global health emergencies, understanding the International Health Regulations has never been more relevant. This course equips participants with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of health security, fostering a sense of global solidarity that is essential in today’s world. Enroll in **"Global Health Security, Solidarity, and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations"** on Coursera today to expand your horizon in the ever-important field of global health!

Syllabus

Introduction and course outline

The main objective of this Module is to explore the reasons behind the creation of this MOOC, its structure and the main topics covered. Using several real-world examples this Module introduces the main facets of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and controversies around it, and also presents the factors that motivated the countries to come together for the first time to discuss the issues of international public health, and the resulting documents that would later give birth to the first ever IHR.

This Module presents the content of the 2005 revision of the IHR and the main factors that led to the need for this revision, such as major societal changes, globalization and expansion of travel and international exchanges of people, leading to emergence and re-emergence of health threats. This Module also walks the student through the IHR text and outlines its main elements: definitions, main principles and goals, as well as the mechanisms of assessment and notification of health events of potential concern.

This and the following Module provide an introduction to the complex interconnectedness of public health, and the IHR specifically, with other sectors. More precisely, Module 3 focuses on the linkage between human health and animal health and possible future health threats. Students will get familiar with examples of situations in which the IHR has come into action to limit the effects of a health hazard, such as Zika virus, SARS or Ebola epidemics that were declared as public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC), along with the H1N1 outbreak.

Further exploring the aspect of intersectorality of the IHR, this Module will examine the effects that a public health event can potentially have on the global economy, travel and trade. It will define basic, additional and excessive public health measures that can be applied in case of an international health emergency, as well as specific documents that are necessary to ensure safety in international traffic and trade. This Module will also introduce the students to the issue of national security in the context of practical application of the IHR.

In this Module, students will get familiar with the main mechanism of assessment of the IHR implementation progress - the IHR Monitoring Framework. Particular attention will be given to the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) process, as well as its final step - national planning. One of the units will introduce the concept of the IHR-PVS Bridging workshop that links together human and animal health. At the end of this Module, students will discover several real-life examples of daily activities of the National Focal Points that are responsible for the IHR implementation at the national level.

This Module provides a critical assessment of the global progress of the IHR implementation. It examines the main challenges that countries are facing while preparing for or during public health events, including possible violations of human rights. This Module also provides an extensive overview of the main reforms that were implemented inside the WHO after the Ebola epidemic in Africa in 2014-2015, as well as steps forward that were taken by other actors at the international level.

Congratulations, you have successfully finished all the educational sections of our MOOC! We hope you enjoyed the teaching materials and were able to gain lots of valuable insights on how the International Health Regulations are implemented in real life and why it is so important to raise awareness on this issue. We would like to thank you for your active participation and conclude with a short video message, a final quiz on different aspects of the IHR covered throughout the course and a discussion prompt to reflect on the progress you made. Good luck and hope to see you again in our online learning community!