College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

Global health

Our researchers help to measure the burden of diseases worldwide, making connections between human health and the health of the planet.

Close up image of barley in a field

Global health research is about trying to find ways to achieve health equality throughout the world. It considers the health problems that are a potential risk for every single person on our planet. 

The biggest challenges in global health are finding solutions to  antimicrobial resistance, understanding the impact of air pollution and climate change, reluctance to accept vaccinations for infectious disease, and finally the rise of what we call non-communicable diseases – such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  

 

What we do

Our global health research follows seven themes:

  • Planetary health:  connections between human health and the health of the planet.
  • Care pathways at every life stage: child health, maternal health and ageing.    
  • Infectious diseases: to halt or prevent spread of disease, this includes antimicrobial research 
  • Informatics: Using technical innovation and data to improve health care.
  • Global surgery: to achieve safe, affordable surgical and anaesthetic care.
  • Health systems and global health governance: how governance structures are used to improve population health independent of national borders 
  • Compassion, wellbeing and ethical health care: exploring the relationships that hold societies and people together. 

 

Where we do it

The Centre for Global Health at the Usher Institute takes a world-leading approach to measuring the global burden of disease, prioritising investments in global health, influencing governance structures and processes, and innovating for global health.

Many of our academics also participate in the University’s Global Health Academy, a cross-disciplinary network that brings together resources within and beyond the University community to enable better, fairer and more accessible health care for all. 

The work of the Global Health Academy involves a wide network of people: researchers, practitioners, trainers, policy makers, students, alumni networks, people involved in business, local partners and international agencies.

 

Impact

Guiding us through the pandemic

The politics of a pandemic

Study 

As global health cuts across traditional, educational boundaries, there are many opportunities for studying at post-graduate level, with some 14 online Masters programmes available, in addition to short courses, a PhD programme, and an annual summer school. 

Global Health Academy

 

Explore

Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Security

Global Health Academy

The Usher Institute

Centre for Global Health

 

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