Global Health Security: Infectious Diseases and the SDGs

Global Health Security is a dynamic field due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, through this course students will learn about the science behind infectious diseases and how pandemics occur. They will also gain understanding of the importance of sustainable development and identify why health is important to sustainable development. Furthermore, this course will enable the understanding how pandemics affect the globe and sets back progress, in relation to global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Infectious diseases were the biggest contributor to human morbidity until recent times when NCDs (non- communicable disease) exceeded it. However, it still accounts for a high rate of mortality in some parts of the world. Globalization has not helped with decreasing the transmission of infectious diseases, in fact globalization is causing profound changes in the burden of infectious diseases in certain populations.

Sustainable Development – one aspect addressing the relationship between global health security, infectious disease, and globalization – ensures development for the current generation without compromising the needs of the future generations. Through the SDGs countries are working together to ensure that certain impediments to development are eliminated so that everyone can enjoy access to equal opportunities and resources. Thus, this course will also inform students on the main points of the Sustainable Development Goals, their importance, and challenges with their implementation.