The Global Community Health team welcomes you to this minor. In today's interconnected world, the health of people and communities is increasingly influenced by a complex web of factors extending beyond individual hospital care. The Minor in Global and Community Health provides an interdisciplinary education that empowers you to address complex health challenges by working in and with the community.

In our society, factors such as economic stability, education, environment and community cohesion – known as social determinants of health – play a significant role in shaping health differences. For instance, food deserts in urban areas limit access to nutritious food, contributing to higher rates of obesity and chronic diseases. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive understanding of health equity, embracing the diversity of our communities and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. Culturally competent health professionals are able to look at their own positionality, really engage with people and increase trust in the health system.

There are many factors influencing access to care, with barriers such as cost, transportation, and lack of information preventing many from receiving or accepting the care they need. The health system must adapt and really involve people, improving health literacy, using social media in a positive way to enhance health education and advocacy, enabling widespread dissemination of information and mobilizing community action. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events can lead to health crises such as heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. By integrating sustainability into health practices, you learn to develop and promote environmentally friendly healthcare solutions, such as reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities and advocating for policies that mitigate the effects of climate change.

During the Minor in Global and Community Health we discuss with you to take a step out of your comfort zone to collaborate with the community to explore the community needs and to develop a community intervention.

After completing the minor Global Community Health you will be able to:

1. Explore the diversity and needs of different communities to reach health equity and social justice, explain the role of the different determinants of health.

2. Analyse access to care of the community as well as health care providers perspective using a holistic biopsychosocial and positive health approach.

3. Communicate and collaborate effectively with the community (involvement, engagement and empowerment) in multi-disciplinary, intersectoral, and multi-cultural settings.

4. Develop and evaluate long-lasting effective evidence-based and community-centered health interventions.

5. Critically self-reflect on positionality and personal/ professional development in health care and community settings.

6. Explain your own role as a change agent in providing sustainable environmental and planetary health.

Students must meet the minimum requirement for study points and have received permission from their own school to attend the minor program.

Material will exist of scientific articles, videos and websites, provided by the lecturers of the Minor Global Health.

Our program consists of 10 weeks theory in Amsterdam, in class 3 days per week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. There is also designated time within students will be working in the community Projects). During project work students are coached by lecturers from the Minor Global Health and are expected to be working equivalent to full-time study in the community.

During the second part of the minor (10 weeks) students have to attend class on Tuesday and Thursday. The coaching sessions will also be scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday.

This part will and with a closing ceremony organized by students.

Contact time:
Lectures and tutorials: 117 hours
Coaching / Consultancy: 16 hours
Presentations: 6 Hours
Self Study time
Work in the Community scheduled throughout the course
Exams: 8 hours

Full time Minor

The global community health minor consists of two parts of each 10 weeks. The first ten weeks consists of : “Global Community Health theory” and “community needs” (15 ECTS) and the last ten weeks of  “community intervention” (15 ECTS).

Global Community Health Theory

During the first ten weeks you will be provided with themes and theoretical concepts related to Global Health issues. You will be invited to put these concepts into action supported by games, debates, brainstorms and discussions. Each week focuses on a specific theme (figure 1) related to global community health: you will gain knowledge that will help you to become aware and better understand the complexity of global community health.

Global Community Needs

Also, you will acquire tools and skills to be able to perform an interesting Global Health project within a community in Amsterdam. What knowledge and skills do you need to be able to work with a community that, for example, has another cultural background, doesn’t speak your language very well, has different norms and values, maybe has low health literacy etc. In these projects you will explore and analyze the context of a societal challenge related to health and will perform a problem and needs analysis with the specific community. You will talk to community members, to other stakeholders involved in the societal challenge/ health problem and also weekly to experts from the field of global community health and experts by experience.

Together with the community members and other stakeholders, you and your project team will explore what their problem(s) and need(s) is/are. You will discover challenges/problems that they experience. These challenges and needs are the basis for the second part of the minor (week 11-20) in which you will develop a ‘community intervention’.

Global Community Interventions

At the end of “Global Community Health Theory” and  “Community Needs”, your team has made a profound analysis of the societal challenge/health problem and the needs of the community. Your team will continue to work on the same project and will develop a ‘community intervention’ that fits the needs of the community.

Together with the community members and other stakeholders, you and your project team will explore multiple possible solutions for ‘the health challenge(s)/problem(s)’ the community is facing and the needs they have. In co-creation with the community and other important stakeholders your team then chooses one of the solutions to further develop. Finally, the team helps to actually implement the first steps towards the ‘solution’. This way, your team does not leave the community or institution with a report,but actually creates impact for the community with this ‘solution/intervention.

During project work you will be supported by the concept of Design Thinking. In your Global Health project you will follow the different steps of a design oriented – method.  This design - thinking method will guide you and your team through the process of working together with the community.   With this method, the teams’ goal is to arrive at multiple possible solutions for the health problem/ needs of the community and develop a ‘prototype’.

 

 

Community Needs: First 10 weeks

 

Community intervention: second 10 weeks

 

 

Weekly Themes:

As mentioned earlier, each week focuses on a specific theme related to Global Health Issues and will support you with your project work in the community.

The themes are visualized in the schedule below (fig. 1).

Program Structure

You will follow a fixed weekly rhythm throughout the minor. As you can see in the schedule below, every day of the week has a set content, except for the first (kick of) and last week (assessment) of ‘Community Needs’. 

The weeks are divided into Global Health related themes.  

Weekly rhythm ‘Global Community Needs and Theory’

Every Monday the theme of this specific week will be introduced in a so called ‘Deep Dive’ session. During this session you will receive in-depth information about a specific topic. This information will support you and your team in your work in and with the community. Moreover, it will raise your awareness concerning the complexity of working in the field of global health. After this deep dive another meeting is scheduled in which you will gain knowledge and skills about the design thinking process. These meetings will support you and your team and guide you step by step through the process and design of your global health project. 

Every Tuesday, information gained during the Deep Dive sessions will be put into action. 

Active working methods will be offered to be able to apply the theory into action in order to support you in your project work. 

During these sessions you will also be equipped with tools to develop your personal and professional growth. 

In the afternoon, some groups will receive coaching and will be guided in the design thinking process. 

Wednesday you have time to work on your project and meet the community and other stakeholders 

Every Thursday experts from the field are invited to share their expertise and experiences regarding working in and with communities. These meetings are valuable, instructive and relevant for your work in the community and thus for your project assignment.  

After this session there will be a moment of reflection: What are your lessons learned this week, what can we learn from each other and what will be your goals for next week?  

In the afternoon, some groups will receive coaching and will be guided in the design thinking proces. 

Fridays you have time to work on your project and meet the community and other stakeholders 

Monday:
Deep Dive into new Global Health Theme
Design Thinking Community project

Tuesday:
Theory in action (Activity / game related to week theme)
Professional development (Coaching on professional development related to working in the field of Global Health)
Self-reflection
Working in the community /self study

Wednesday:
Self study
Working in the community /self study

Thursday:
In conversation with the community Stakeholder/ Community member/ partner
Week wrap up (read threat of topics related to week theme and Sharing ideas, progress, pitfalls and experiences)
Working in the community /self study

Friday:
Self study

Weekly rhythm ‘Global Community Interventions’

During the last ten weeks (Global Community Interventions) you will mainly be focused on your project and provided with contact hours at the AUAS. Every Tuesday and Thursday you will get supportive lectures/workshops.

On Tuesdays (first three weeks on Thursdays due to availability of lecturer) interactive meetings will guide you through the project process in which you will continue following the steps of design thinking (ideation, prototyping and test phase).

On Thursdays there will be interesting lectures/workshops to support you in the development of sustainable intervention/innovation. 

Monday: Working in the community
Tuesday: Design thinking, Working in the community/coaching
Wednesday: Selfstudy, Working in the community
Thursday: Supportive lectures/workshops community interventions, Working in the community/coaching
Friday: Self study, Working in the community

Testing and Assessments

30 ECTS:
Global Community Health Theory - Creative Assignement (6 ECTS)
Global Community Needs - Group Assignment Presentation & Individual Reflection report (9 ECTS)
Global Community Interventions - Group Assignment Presentation & Individual Reflection Report (15 ECTS)

Questions about de minor? 
Contact Annemieke van Heerwaarden, minorglobalhealthfg@hva.nl 

Questions about the Kies Op Maat procedure?
Contact Niermela Chote-sobha, n.chote-sobha@hva.nl

Applications will be processed in the order of receipt of signed learning agreements.