Essentials of Global Health

A comprehensive introduction to global health

Yale's course takes on global health as a genuinely broad field — not just infectious disease outbreaks, but the health systems, policy, and social conditions that determine who gets sick, who gets treated, and why outcomes vary so much between and within countries.

Ground covered

• Health disparities, health equity, and social determinants of health
• Infectious and chronic disease patterns worldwide
• Health systems, health policy, and demography
• Nutrition and diet as part of the global health picture

With over 93,000 learners, it's clearly built as a genuine survey course — a good starting point whether you're heading into public health, medicine, international development, or just want a grounded understanding of why global health outcomes look the way they do. No specific prior background is required to get started.