Ecuador field research and service learning program – A global opportunity experience – Summer

The Ecuador Field Research and Service Learning program is a result of 18+ years of collaboration between the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI) at Ohio University and the Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL). Following their research principles, ITDI and CISeAL aim to reach underserved populations with state of the art training and technology to help control the transmission of Chagas disease and other infectious and chronic conditions affecting populations in Ecuador and Latin America. Since early 2000, teams of biologist, entomologists, health practitioners, architects and development specialists have conducted research on Chagas disease and its transmission cycles in several areas of Ecuador. Students with academic interests as diverse as microbiology to anthropology to Spanish language to communication studies have come together to participate in this initiative.

For more information, visit https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/itdi/education/research.cfm



IHS 2235 Cross-Cultural Issues in Tropical Diseases – Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters - eCampus, Athens Online

Course description:

This course has been designed to introduce the student to the concept of culture as a relevant framework for understanding human behavior in relation to health. It will focus biological, environmental, cultural, social, and political aspects relevant to tropical diseases, including prevention, treatment and control. Finally, the course will discuss the importance of these issues in health interventions and health promotion projects design, implementation, and evaluation.

Outcome Goals:

1. Explain political, cultural, and social factors associated to Tropical Diseases.
2. Identify general biological, social, and cultural characteristics of tropical diseases.
3. Compare the agendas for action for malaria, Chagas disease and Schistosomiasis prevention, treatment and control in specific cultural settings.
4. Examine the role of culture in health interventions and health promotion projects planning.
5. Identify the characteristics and relevance of culture sensitive interventions for tropical disease control and prevention.

INST 6900- Healthy Living: Health, Communication and Development - Spring Semester 2014

Course description:

This class will introduce the student to the concept of social development for disease prevention using the Healthy Living Initiative as main reference. This will prepare the student to understand the functioning of complex development programs, encompassing different fields such as biology, medicine, economics, communication, and international development, and will prepare them for a direct intervention during the summer.

A project development (thesis, professional project, capstone) is the main outcome goal of this class.

This class is part of the Healthy Living Initiative Graduate Student Research Experience, funded by the 1804 Fund.

BIOS 4440/5440 - TROPICAL DISEASE BIOLOGY - FALL SEMESTER - Athens Campus

Course description:

This course has been designed to provide an overview of the nature, impact, and management of tropical diseases. It examines tropical diseases as biological and human systems. It will cover various themes regarding agents of infectious disease, epidemiology of infectious diseases and disease prevention and management. It aims to introduce the student to relevant frameworks for understanding human behavior in relation to health. It will focus on biological, cultural, social, and political aspects relevant to tropical diseases, including prevention, treatment and control. Special emphasis will be given to Neglected Tropical Diseases. Finally, the course will address specific tropical diseases and geographical regions via student led presentations. Summative group discussions will be held to reflect on the information presented.

Outcome goals:

At the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Contrast different definitions of health
2. Contrast different notions of culture
3. Learn the biology and life cycles of the agents that cause tropical diseases
4. Learn the main tools available for disease control, prevention and treatment
5. Identify biological and environmental determinant factors for tropical diseases
6. Identify connections between cultural and political ecologies of health
7. Explain political, cultural, and social factors associated to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).