GLOBAL HEALTH STUDIES

Located in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Groover Hall

In a broad sense the major in Global Health Studies will help you find your calling though international travel, service to others, experiential, service learning and a close association with faculty mentors. Specifically,   the degree addresses the health of global populations and communities through instruction, service, and community-based projects. A degree in Global Health Studies will provide you with the skills to analyze the factors underlying domestic and international health challenges, to combine research and service experience with the ability to make difficult social choices, to devise solutions to individual and population-wide health problems, and to implement disease-prevention strategies. It is interdisciplinary in that it draws on fields such as international affairs, law, and the natural and social sciences while using the principles of human rights and cultural perspectives that abound in our multicultural country and world.Mercer’s new program will build skills in public health but use the College of Liberal Arts’ broad curriculum to build students’ knowledge in research, sociology and international relations, with the goal of creating well-rounded graduates who can address all public health challenges.  In addition the Global Health Studies degree is unique from other similar programs in that it requires Mercer On Mission, a summer international service learning experience, participation in a yearly seminar series that will be lead by a nationally recognized expert on a public health issue and, the successful completion of a community- or international -based senior design project. The major in Global Health Studies will prepare you to become a leader in the search for solutions to global health challenges or for graduate education in law, business, engineering and public health.

Public health is a growing field that touches on everything from epidemiology and infectious diseases to nutrition and diet, examining health collectively. In rich countries, such as the United States, the problems confronted by public health professionals include obesity and diabetes, while in poorer countries, often having access to enough food and proper medical care are the most pressing public health challenges. However, many of the methods and techniques used to track and address those problems are similar, making global health an ideal method of studying public health.

In summary the Global Health Studies program will provide you with a wide variety of experiences, skills and perspectives that will give you the opportunity to become an important member of the public health professional community.  If you have questions please feel free to contact Dr. Mary kot  at kot_mc@mercer.edu.