HSS4331 – International Health Theory

Dec 7, 2009 – Exam Preparation

Last seminar opportunity

• “Global Health Knowledge Series: Health Equity, the Lead Taken by the University of Ottawa”– Tuesday Dec 8, 2008, 10am– Hagen Hall room 305– RSVP to mbenkhal@uottawa.ca

PBL Evaluation

• http://tinyurl.com/pblcbl

Let’s Review The Semester…

Let’s see…

• We talked about privilege• We talked about interrelationships between

– War– Migration– Climate change– Globalisation– etc

And then…

• We defined health• The origins of disparity

– Innate qualities of people?– Environmental factors?– Legacy of colonialism

• Redrawing borders• Re-making economies to service rich nations• Brain drain• Corruption• Cash crops

Then…

• Indicators– Defining poverty– Incidence/prevalence/mortality– DALYs and QALYs– Measuring life expectancy– Why we need surveillance

Remember this?• The MDGs• Key international organizations

– Bretton Woods -> IMF, World Bank– Red Cross– MSF– WHO– CIDA– USAID– IDRC– Global Fund– Gates Foundation & Clinton Foundation

• Types of foreign aid– Bilateral– Multilateral– Humanitarian– Development– Project/Food/Tied/Untied/Project etc

• Criticisms of aid– Jeffrey Sachs vs William Easterly

• Lester Pierson’s 0.7% promise

And this?

And then…

• HIV/AIDS– Diagnosis/treatment/history– Current epidemiology– Impact on sub-Saharan Africa– Important concepts:

• MSM• Virgin myth• Impact on more than just people who have the disease• Orphans• Burden on women

The Exam

• Saturday Dec 19, from 9:30am to 12:30pm• RGN 2005• Show up with a pen (and maybe a source of

caffeine)• No external aids

– That means no bits of paper with your notes – That means no laptop– That means no pet monkey specially trained to

write exams

The Exam

• The entire exam consists of:– A single question that has already been uploaded

onto the website: classes.deonandan.com• Essay length

– A single question about the seminars that you will only learn on the day of the exam

• 1-2 paragraphs

Question #1

• Because the question is given to you beforehand– You can research examples (Google is your friend)– You can draw associations between your

arguments and the lectures– You can research opposing viewpoints

Question #1

• Even though the question is given to you beforehand– You don’t need to cite references– You don’t need to cite statistics

Question #2

• Based on the 2 seminars you attended on your own during the semester

• Come prepared to report each seminar’s:– Title– Date– Main participants

Length

• QUESTION #1• Length:

– At your discretion– Recommend at least 2 pages– No more than one exam booklet in length

• QUESTION #2• Length:

– 1-2 paragraphs

QUESTION #1

• Content– How does the issue relate to the DISPARITY of

health/wealth between nations?– How have DEVELOPMENT interventions or

projects been used to address the issue; or how should they be used; what are the pros and cons?

– How has the issue and its interventions resulted in a DIRECTION OF CHANGE in key indicators?

QUESTION #1

• Content– Most important: DISCUSS what it all means. Can

you evaluate the current status? What does it mean for various actors (you and me, governments, universities, Mel Gibson?)

• A very difficult thing to do well• Be creative and bold

QUESTION #1

• Format– Two choices:– 1. Point Form

• Introduction – write in paragraph form• Disparity – list several arguments in point form• Development – list several arguments in point form• Direction – list several arguments in point form• Discussion – write in paragraph form

QUESTION #1

• Format– 2. Essay form

– All in paragraph format

• Introduction• Arguments

– Disparity– Development– Direction– Discussion

• Conclusion

QUESTION #2

• Format– Paragraph form– 1-2 paragraphs

Marking Scheme (Total=110)• Question #1

– Analysis relates to course content and established knowledge /30

– Arguments are logical, coherent and concise /30– Creativity, reflection, insight /30– Writing style /10– Total = 100

• Question #2• Overall impression = 10• Note: if answer does not relate to a valid seminar

advertised on the class website, you will receive zero for this question

How To Write An EssayIntroduction -from broad to specific

Argument 1

Argument 2

Argument n – usually the strongest point

Conclusion -from specific to broad

Thesis

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.

How To Write An Essay

• Example:– Topic: alternative food sources– Thesis: “Graphite pencils are a good alternative

food source whose nutritional benefits should be seriously considered.”

How To Write An EssaySince the dawn of time, man has sought to eat writing implements….

Graphite is quite tasty.

But Dr Partypooper believes that eating sharp objects may be unhealthy.

Graphite may in fact cure ass pimples.

With the eating of pencils, humanity can at last fulfill its dream of eating tasteless pointy things.

Graphite pencils are a good food source.

.

.

How To Write An Essay

• There are many formats you can use, that was just one of them

• Keys:– Decide what you’re trying to say, within the

context of the topic (question)• This is your thesis

– Describe the arguments around the thesis• This is the evidence that comes from your research

– Make a conclusion

Your Exam Question #1

• Some of these questions might be useful for growing into a policy paper for next semester

• Remember, only choose ONE of the following questions to prepare for…

1. Discuss how the disparities in health between rich and poor nations may be the result of political developments stemming from colonialism. Be sure to discuss an opposing viewpoint. Mention at least two development efforts (i.e., interventions or projects) that address these colonial effects, and give your opinion about whether or not the interventions are reasonable.

2. The Millennium Development Goals: What are they? Why are they important? What are their strengths and shortcomings?

3. Should recreational drug use be legalized? Argue a side, based on a global health perspective. Be sure to consider: economic impacts, the burden of disease, international relations, moral beliefs, lessons from history and lessons from other countries.

4. How can people with disabilities in poor nations be better served? Discuss the current trends in the global burden of disability, using appropriate indicators. Suggest roles for key international organizations in developing a strategy for addressing the needs of such people.

5. Should the United Nations establish a special agency focused on the plight of women? Argue yes or no, drawing on your knowledge of the plight of women and the roles of existing organizations in addressing the needs of women. Describe what such an agency would do, and how this role would differ from that of existing agencies.

6. In terms of health and health services, in what ways do Canada’s Aboriginal communities resemble communities in the developing world? How must we modify our approach when addressing Aboriginal health needs, as opposed to (a) mainstream Canadian health needs and (b) the health needs of people in a poor African, Asian or South American village?

7. Is there a role for business in improving global health? Argue yes or no, but do so in the context of either maternal or perinatal health.

GOOD LUCK!