Priorities in Global Public Health

PRIORITIES IN GLOBAL PUB

Many of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity disproportionately affect the populations of low-income countries. This course uses a multidisciplinary approach to analyse the emergence, justificiation and success of current global health priorities including reproductive health, child health water, infectious diseases, noncommunicable disease, mental health, and public health in complex emergencies (man made and Environmental). Students will learn to examine the social, economic, and political factors contributing to the rise of these global health priorities, learn about the different suggested approaches and tools for managing them as well be involved in the development of strategies for their solution. This course builds on Introduction to Global Health" (P6811) by demonstrating the application of major concepts and principles that govern the practice of global health in resource-poor countries."

• R 5:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m.
• 3 points

Nutritional Epidemiology

NUTRITIONAL EPI

The purpose of this course is for students to understand the methods involved in determining the role of nutrition in the etiology of various disease states. Examples in the literature will be used to illustrate various aspects of nutritional epidemiology including assessment of dietary intake, biochemical markers of nutritional intake, body composition and issues in analysis of nutritional data in epidemiological studies.

• T 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Sandra S Albrecht
  h-index: 19 Info
• 3 points

Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEM

Infectious disease epidemiology monitors the occurrence of infectious diseases and develops strategies for preventing and controlling disease. It requires the use of traditional epidemiologic methods as well as methods that cannot be applied to non-infectious diseases, such as mathematical modeling. In addition to knowing epidemiologic methods, infectious disease epidemiologists need to be familiar with the clinical and biological features of important infectious diseases as well as laboratory techniques for the identification and quantification of infectious agents. This course is designed to provide an introduction to infectious disease epidemiology. It will focus on the tools and methods used in identifying, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases to improve public health. Case studies based on the literature and the work of faculty members will be used to illustrate the real-world application of these tools and methods to address public health problems.

• M 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• 3 points

Chronic Disease Epidemiology

CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOL

This course has several goals. The first is to delineate a “personality” for chronic diseases (CDs). CDs are not extensions in time of acute illness. CDs most often have long, latent, asymptomatic beginnings, often attributable to risk factors, themselves often modifiable; interventions are usually designed for amelioration and management rather than treatment and cure As these diseases emerge in complex contexts with upstream triggers that are embedded in social, political, and economic realms, successful management requires an understanding of these drivers.
The second goal is to enlarge the visual field of the public health student to see these diseases in their global settings. It is now widely recognized that these same chronic diseases—heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, and cancer—are emerging as the dominant health issues for all countries on all continents. Hence, the course will cover these disorders in both developed and developing countries.
The third goal is to present the complexity of interventions. Prevention, or management, requires interventions that intersect personal, national and global behavior, and equally important, cultural patterns, and political realities. Effective intervention requires exploration of the impact of urbanization and globalization. Creating actionable plans requires input from a wide array of disciplines including, but is not limited to, anthropology, urban planning, political science, trade policy, corporate policy, information technology, advertising, and lobbying. This course is designed to tie these factors together in a focused manner that will permit the student to grasp the breadth of the problems and appreciate the new public health roles epidemiology will need to play to combat this modern epidemic.

• M 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Nour Makarem
  Info
• 3 points

Selected Problems of Measurement in Epid

SELECT PROBLEM IN MEASURE

Research on health outcomes is predicated on investigators’ ability to accurately conceptualize and operationalize health constructs of interest. This course will provide an introduction to basic concepts of measurement theory –classical test and modern —and how they are applied to public health research utilizing health outcomes. Students in this course will learn key elements of applied psychometrics using research examples from the literature and from their own area of interest. In addition to a group project intended to facilitate students’ understanding of the principles presented in lectures, each student will also undertake a measurement project that will enable them to apply this knowledge to their specialized area of research. Students will learn to select and how to collect measures as well as assess the quality of measurement in epidemiologic research.

• F 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Thelma Mielenz
  Info
• 3 points

Gun Violence in the United States: Evide

GUN VIOLENCE IN THE US: E

More U.S. residents have been killed with guns since 1968 than died in all the wars since the country’s founding. Addressing this crisis means solving tenacious public health problems in the realms of science and of politics. In this course we will review the epidemiology of gun violence and the empirical foundations of efforts to address it through policy, study design, programmatic interventions, and environmental/physical design. We will consider obstacles to the rigorous study of gun violence as well as the innovative approaches researchers have adopted to overcome them, whether in the fields of epidemiology, health policy, medicine, criminology, or economics. And we will place all of this in the political and legal context that shapes our collective actions. Through lectures and discussion, students will become familiar with the main factors connected with firearm injury, the epidemiologic study of gun violence, the policy actors that have influenced the U.S. response to date, and the underlying beliefs and behaviors that define the U.S. relationship with guns. By reviewing both new and canonical research throughout the course, students will learn to apprise how diverse study designs — including surveys, case control studies, time-series, randomized control trials, social network analyses, and quasi-experimental approaches — are well-suited to shed light on different aspects of this subject.

• W 5:30 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
• 3 points

Current Work in Injury Control and Preve

CRNT WORK IN INJURY CONTR

The primary objectives in this course are to gain knowledge about and to critically engage with current topics in the field of injury control and prevention, to develop research and scientific inquiry skills, and to make meaningful connections with experts in this field. In this course, we will learn from experts on four topics in the field of injury control and prevention. By the end of the semester, students will have improved their ability to interpret peer-reviewed research on current topics in injury control and prevention and will be prepared to go forward asking important scientific questions in this field, with a solid sense of what is already known and what is worthy of further inquiry and investigation. Readings will be determined by the four guest speakers based on what is relevant to their field of research.

• M 1 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
• Instructor: Thelma Mielenz
  Info
• 0.5 points

Epidemiology II: Design and Conduct of O

DESIGN & CONDUCT OF OBS E

As a basic science of public health, epidemiology is responsible for the identification of causes of disease that can guide the development of rational public health policies. The accuracy of the information provided by epidemiologic studies is therefore of central concern. Epidemiologic methods are the tools we use to make valid causal arguments. This course builds upon the methods introduced in P6400 Principles of Epidemiology or the Quant core module. The primary objective is to provide students with the basic tools necessary to design, carry out, and interpret the results from observational epidemiologic studies.

• TF 1 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
• Instructor: John R II Pamplin
  Info
• 3 points

Epidemiology and Control of Tuberculosis

EPIDEMIOLOGY & CONTROL OF

P8442 offers students an in-depth look at the epidemiology and control of tuberculosis (TB). Students are lectured by specialists and leaders in the field on topics including TB epidemiology in the US and abroad, clinical aspects of TB disease and latent TB infection, TB/HIV, molecular epidemiology of TB, TB control from the perspective of health departments and hospitals, TB drug and vaccine development, social aspects of TB and TB advocacy. Students are expected to master the field of infectious disease epidemiology and control as it applies to TB. Course readings cover state-of-the-art and historical articles.

• R 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• 3 points

Current and Emerging Issues in Injury an

ISSUES IN INJURY & VIOLEN

This 1.5 credit course will introduce students to current and emerging issues in injury and violence and provide a conceptual approach from which to view injury and violence within a public health framework. The multifaceted, multidisciplinary nature of injury and violence prevention will be illustrated using principles and applications of epidemiology, health policy, behavioral science, law, medicine and engineering. A combination of lecture, discussion and structured interactive group exercises will be used to illustrate key concepts, including common risk factors and injury-related health disparities, across intentional and unintentional injury mechanisms in vulnerable populations. The contribution of injury and violence to the total health burden and a systems approach to prevention will be woven into class sessions covering cutting edge and cross cutting issues related to specific mechanisms of injury such as motor vehicle, poisonings and overdoses, drowning, fire/burns, falls and violence including issues and trends in firearm injuries. Issues in surveillance, measurement and evaluation will be illustrated as the class examines current approaches to translating injury science into effective population-level prevention.

• T 10 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
• Instructor: Joyce Pressley
  Info
• 1.5 points

Introduction to Machine Learning for Epi

Machine Learning for EPI

Machine learning, broadly defined as analytic techniques that fit models algorithmically by adapting to patterns in data, is growing in use across many areas within public health and healthcare. This course is intended for students with existing training in epidemiology and basic biostatistics who seek an introduction to the use of machine learning within epidemiologic research and practice. This includes an overview of key-terms and commonly-used algorithms, debates of the ethical and scientific considerations on the use of data-driven analytics when the goals are improvements in public health and causal inference and in-depth discussions about common implementations of machine learning within the current epidemiologic literature. Using a flipped classroom format, the course will combine online lecture videos with in-class discussions and group exercises to ensure a balance of substantive knowledge and practical skills. Through this hybrid learning approach, students will learn to apply critical thinking techniques as they explore the opportunities and limitations of using machine learning within the context of epidemiology. Throughout the duration of the course, all classes will include clear examples from the epidemiologic literature, discussions on ethical issues surrounding the use of machine learning and hands-on programming exercises in R/R Studio. After completion of this course, students will be able to discuss scenarios where machine learning can (and cannot) benefit epidemiologic analysis, analyze public health data using commonly-used machine learning techniques in R software, and pursue either more in-depth technical training or informed collaborations with scientists with specialized machine learning expertise.

• T 5:30 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Jeanette A Stingone
  Info
• 3 points

Epidemiologic Theory and Methods in Sexu

EPI THRY MTDS IN SEX & GE

This course will provide an introduction to the existing research on sexual and gender minority (SGM) health with a specific emphasis on epidemiologic theory and methods. Through readings and group discussions we will cover issues related to the design of epidemiologic studies that focus on different sexual and gender minority populations (e.g., queer cisgender populations and transgender and non-binary populations). In addition the course will review the sexual and gender minority health literature as it pertains to group differences (e.g., race, socioeconomic status), using intersectionality as a conceptual and methodological framework. Lectures will include both content- and methods-focused components. Substantive topics of focus include social determinants of health and specific health outcomes and health behaviors, such as HIV, substance use and mental health burdens. Methodological issues that are particularly challenging in sexual and gender minority health will be discussed, including sampling sexual and gender minority populations, causal inference methods in sexual and gender minority health research, and analytical approaches in epidemiologic studies of sexual and gender minority populations.

 

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply epidemiologic principles and methods and develop foundational skills necessary to critically evaluate the existing sexual and gender minority health research literature. This course fulfills an elective requirement for the Social Determinants of Health certificate. Participation in class discussion, experiential learning activities, and a final paper will be used to evaluate progress towards learning objectives.

 

• R 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Dustin T Duncan
  Wikipedia Info
• 1.5 points

Critical Social Epidemiology of Mass Cri

SOC EPI OF CRIMIN & INCAR

This course focuses on the public health implications of mass criminalization and mass incarceration in the United States, from a critical social epidemiologic perspective. The course will provide students with foundations in theory and evidence for the ways in which the carceral state produces social inequalities in health. It will also address key substantive and methodological challenges in the epidemiologic study of these issues. The course will be guided by a critical sociology of mass criminalization and incarceration and analyses of structural racism and political economy.

 

Substantive topics include the components of, and policies that govern, each system within the criminal legal system; the myriad health implications of individual- and community-level exposure to the criminal legal system; and conflicting perspectives on prevailing approaches to public safety, policing, and punishment. Students will be able to describe public health problems the criminal legal system creates, exacerbates, or perpetuates, and explain why certain populations are unjustly affected. Students will be able to identify methodological problems in research on mass criminalization and incarceration, e.g., structural confounding, time-varying confounding, social causation vs. social selection, selection bias, measurement issues, appropriate levels of analysis, spatial dependence, ethical issues. They will be able to interpret, synthesize, and critique theoretical scholarship and empirical research on mass criminalization and incarceration and evaluate the strength of evidence on given topics. Students will be assessed based on participation in class discussion, short outlines/mind maps synthesizing weekly readings, group presentations, and a final individual paper.

• W 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Seth J Prins
  h-index: 17 Info
• 3 points

Epi Modeling for Infectious Diseases

EPIDEMIC MODEL MTHD-INFEC

This course is an intro to intermediate level infectious disease mathematical modeling methodological class. It will introduce the fundamental principles of infectious disease modeling. Emphasis will be given to compartmental meta-population models. Over the course, we will learn a variety of mathematical models for infectious diseases, starting from simple compartmental models to more complex compartmental models with various structures, including multiple risk groups, age groups, spatial network, and multiple hosts. In addition to these models, we will also discuss how key epidemiological parameters (e.g. the basic reproductive number) can be estimated from real disease data. Other topics will include vaccination/antiviral efficacy assessment, survival analysis, and agent based models. Half of the course will be devoted to hands-on computer lab excises, using the R Studio open source program (if students are familiar with Python or Matlab, these programs can be used instead).

• W 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Wan Yang
  h-index: 25 Info
• 3 points

Applications of Epidemiologic Research M

APPL OF EPIDEMIOLOGC RES

The course is intended to teach students how to apply basic epidemiological and statistical methods and concepts. The material builds on concepts introduced in epidemiology and biostatistics core courses (or the Quant core module), and serves as a bridge to the methods presented in more advanced epidemiology courses. Each session is a combination of didactic lecture and hands-on practice. Students conduct epidemiological analyses on actual data sets, and learn the importance of data preparation and cleaning, descriptive analyses, as well as how to conduct categorical analyses, ANOVA, and linear regression in SAS.

• T 5:30 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Matthew R Lamb
  Info
• 3 points

Professional Development in Global Healt

PROF DEV IN GLOBAL HEALTH

Practitioners of global public health tackle myriad public health challenges that emerge from particular social, political, and economic contexts. The practitioner must decide which aspects of this field s/he will address, must be trained to address those problems, and must select the right setting in which to effect change. This course exposes students to career options in global public health. Through intimate discussion with global health practitioners working in a variety of settings, students will gain insights into the scope of career options and the pathways to these careers. The course will also address career development issues specific to students' matriculation in the MPH program at the MSPH. Weekly sessions will help prepare students for the overseas practicum site selection.

• M 4 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
• Instructor: Meghan C Gallagher
  Info
• 0.5 points

Global Health Pre-Practicum Seminar

GLOBAL PREPRACTICUM SEMIN

This seminar will prepare students for the Global Health certificate 6-month practicum with the aim of meeting each student's goals for the experience, as well as departmental requirements for the practicum and Master's Integrative Project (or thesis or Capstone, depending on department). The seminar will devote several sessions to cross-cultural training, i.e. preparation to enter a new culture and work environment with comfort, understanding and respect" Cross cultural discussions will include an exploration of each student's unique background in terms of nationality, ethnicity, education and work experiences, and discussion of the importance of culture, behavior, work environment norms and power relations in cross cultural experiences. Students will to begin to develop their practicum scope of work through discussion with GHT faculty, staff, and returning students, and finalize their practicum plans by the end of the semester. Finally, several sessions will be devoted to the logistics of the practicum, i.e., financial issues, living arrangements, health and safety, visas and other administrative matters."

• M 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Meghan C Gallagher
  Info
• 1 points

Global Health Post-Practicum Seminar

GLOBAL HLTH POST-PRACTICU

 

This seminar is designed to aid students returning from the Global Health certificate 6-month practicum to process their experiences and integrate the tasks learned in the field with the work of research, policy, and program development in global health. The course will address professional skills and career development issues specific to students nearing graduation including: program/research planning; grant writing; budgeting and financial management of programs; oral and written communication skills; job search and the use of MSPH Career Services resources.

• M 10 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
• Instructor: Meghan C Gallagher
  Info
• 0.5 points

EPI IV: CRIT THINKING IN EPI

• W 8:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
• Instructor: Pam R Factor-Litvak
  Info
• 3 points

Master's Essay in Epidemiology II

MASTER'S ESSAY IN EPI II

This is the second course in a two-course series P9419-P9420 required of all candidates for the M.P.H. and M.S. in epidemiology. This course focuses on the Statistical Analysis, Results and Discussion sections of students' master's theses. Students will work closely with their first and second readers during the semester, but course instructors and teaching assistants will provide guidance on the selection and conduct of statistical analyses, and on transforming their thesis into a format appropriate for submission for publication.

• T 4 p.m.-5:20 p.m.
• Instructor: Larkin S McReynolds
  Info
• 2 points

Applying the Causal Roadmap to Single Ti

CAUS RDMP TO SIN TIM & LO

This course will introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of applying a “causal roadmap” to research questions in epidemiology using both single timepoint and longitudinal data. A causal roadmap approach to empirical investigation is intended to strengthen transparency and clarity in the research process and typically consists of several steps including: 1) formulating a research question, 2) translating it into a causal quantity, 3) listing the assumptions required to identify this causal quantity from the data, 4) choosing an estimation approach, and 5) doing the analysis. We will learn single timepoint and longitudinal g-computation/ standardization, inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW), and doubly robust estimation approaches (e.g., targeted minimum loss-based estimation (TMLE)). The final class will include integrating machine learning into the estimation approach. Each module will include hands-on exercises in R in which we will apply the estimation approaches to data. Data for each analysis exercise will be provided by the instructor. For the final project, students can choose to use data provided by the instructor or data for which they already have access. 

• T 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Kara Rudolph
  Info
• 3 points

Grant Writing for Epidemiologic Research

Grant Writing for Epi Res

This course provides instruction in the preparation of grant applications for the National Institute of Health (NIH) or other granting agencies, with a special emphasis on F31 and R36 grant applications. Students will participate in instructional lectures, learning the foundations of grant writing and how to craft the specific sections of an NIH-style proposal, and discussions. This course is intended for all PhD students in Epidemiology, as it helps them with grant application experience This course is also intended to provide a forum for 2nd year PhD students to begin to formulate and develop a research question that becomes the basis for their Foundation Essay, dissertation, and a proposal they can submit for NIH funding.

• T 8:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m.
• Instructor: Silvia Martins
  h-index: 58 Info
• 1.5 points

Faculty-Fellow Seminar in Psychiatric Ep

FACULTY SEM-PSYCH EPIDEMI

Primarily for fellows in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training Program. Presentation and discussion of ongoing faculty and fellow research, plus guest speakers. Designed to provide constructive criticism of research in progress and to make fellows aware of current issues in psychiatric epidemiology.

• R 1 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
• Instructor: Sharon B Schwartz
  Info
• 1 points

Epi VI: Advanced Techniques in Epi Metho

ADV TECHNIQUES IN EPI MET

The focus of this class will be on providing students with the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to select and apply advanced epidemiologic techniques. Core techniques have been selected based on their current and potential future use in the field of epidemiology.The course will be organized into four modules, each organized around a specific technique in relation to available alternatives for (1) working with missing data, (2) tackling non-linear trends, (3) placing non-independent observations in context, and (4) strengthening causal inference from observational data. This course is limited to Epi doctoral students only.

• R 8:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
• Instructor: Matthew R Lamb
  Info
• 3 points

Neurological Epidemiology

NEUROLOGICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

Neurological disease epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of these diseases in human populations; it poses a set of novel challenges given the complex nature of the underlying organ. What are these challenges and what issues set this branch of epidemiology apart from others? The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the core principles of neuroepidemiology. The class will be strongly grounded in clinical neurology. Highlighted are a number of diverse disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and epilepsy, many of which are exclusive to humans. The epidemiology of these disorders will be the focus of a series of lectures. During the semester, we will also explore disease clusters, socio-medical aspects of these diseases, and interventional studies that attempt to alter their course.
This elective course in the Department of Epidemiology is intended for MS and MPH students. In the past, we have had a mixed audience of graduate students in epidemiology and other departments in the Mailman School of Public Health as well as medical students and physicians who are pursuing epidemiological training. This blend of students leads to a rich and varied discussion. Our overarching goal is to open a world for students, expose them to a new body of knowledge, and get them to think about a series of thorny epidemiological issues. More specifically, students will gain a thorough understanding of the normal and abnormal workings of the brain and be able to identify and explain how the clinical expression of the latter creates an interesting and often distinctive set of challenges for epidemiologists as they attempt to screen for, diagnose and study the determinants of these uniquely human diseases.

• W 1 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Sarah Tom
  Info
• 3 points

Publications, Presentations, and Scienti

PUBS, PRESNTNS & SCI WRIT

This course is organized as a writing seminar/workshop focused on practical writing and oral presentation skills. Students will identify for themselves an empirically-based manuscript or in-depth literature review on which they will work throughout the semester. Specific portions of the writing project will be completed on a regular basis and will be reviewed and critiqued by fellow students and the instructor. Students also will write a draft Specific Aims for a research proposal related to their manuscript topic and make an oral presentation based on the manuscript. Didactic presentations and discussions will focus on the structure of manuscripts, presentations, and grants; writing and presentation challenges and strategies to address them; and other aspects of manuscript preparation (e.g., choosing a journal). Limited to 1st year Epi Doctoral students.

• R 3 p.m.-5:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Lauren C Houghton
  Info
• 3 points