Hayford M. Avedzi, PhD

Undergraduate Prerequisites: none - Examines the distribution of health and diseases across the population, and the factors that impact health. Which group of people is more likely to experience a heart attack or develop diabetes' Do our level of education, race or income impact our health and our life expectancy' This course studies how we approach understanding disease distribution within the population. Through in class presentations, real world examples, exercises and discussions students become proficient in research methods, disease screening, and infectious disease outbreak investigation. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II. (Credits: 4)

What we eat and our underlying nutritional status is inextricably linked to almost every major health outcome. Under-nutrition increases the risk of maternal and child mortality, death due to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and also has important consequences for child development, education and ultimately economic development. Over-nutrition is on the rise globally; the burden of obesity, diabetes and diet-related chronic diseases are beginning to overwhelm health systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. This course will provide a framework for understanding the relationship between nutrition and global health. Topics include: the epidemiology of nutrition-related risk factors for poor health worldwide; methods for measuring nutritional status in low-resource settings; interventions to improve nutrition globally; and evaluating the impact of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs and policies. (Credits: 4)

With increasing global migration driven by economic, social, political, military, and environmental factors, the health of immigrant populations is more crucial than ever. These movements bring about significant changes that affect population health, shaped by the attitudes of both immigrants and host societies, as well as by systems and structures that interact to create inequities that shape immigrant health and wellbeing. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the key health issues affecting both general and specific immigrant populations. It examines concepts such as acculturation, the healthy immigrant effect, social determinants of health, and intersectional identities, exploring how they influence health behaviors, access to healthcare, and overall health outcomes. Students will gain insights into the diversity within immigrant communities, the impact of cultural identity on health behaviors, and the broader cultural and healthcare landscape in the U.S. The need for cultural competence and inclusivity in healthcare will be a critical focus. (Credits: 4)