Health Sciences

This course examines population health and well-being consequences of demographic changes from an interdisciplinary approach, including sociological, demographic, economic, and political science, particularly in developed countries.

The contents of the class are arranged around the following topics: the concepts of health and illness, why do we care about health; the social determinants of health, why is health social, beyond mind and body, construing in inter-action; a systemic-constructivist model of health and illness; and caregiving experience. Depending on the nature of discussions and research articles, the class content may be adapted to promote students’ interests and engagement, and develop their research and evidence based readings. The course requires a foundation level of psychological literacy developed throughout the first to second year of undergraduate study in psychology as a prerequisite.

The course introduces the diversity and rapid development of the healthcare system in Shanghai. It covers public hospitals, private hospitals, international hospitals or clinics for the foreigners (like Parkway and United Family Hospital). Public hospitals are mainstream and divided into three levels: tertiary, secondly and primary care center. The course also examines the application of IT in healthcare, including AI and mobile health, which is rapidly evolving in Shanghai, for example, cloud/digital hospital. Other topics include the medical insurance system and methods of payment.

This course offers a dynamic and comprehensive introduction to the systems and politics of global health in low and middle-income countries. Students examine critical challenges, including pandemics, ageing populations, pharmaceutical innovation, and the climate crisis, alongside the key determinants of health and their consequences for development. Students explore policies designed to improve health and development, the barriers to their implementation, and practical strategies to overcome these obstacles. Topics include global health governance, universal health coverage, health system strengthening, and the politics of disease burdens. The course also considers the impacts of migration, conflict, and climate change on health.

The course explores the concepts of lifetime, intersectionality, and ethno-gerontology in the creation of interventions that contribute to psychosocial well-being and overall health in old age. It discusses the contributions and implications of those three concepts in the design and implementation of psychosocial interventions for the elderly.