HES 145 Health and Wellness for Everyone

Overview of Course

This course examines health and well-being through a global lens, using An Introduction to Global Health by Michael Seear and Obidimma Ezezika as its core text. Students will explore the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that shape health outcomes across diverse populations.
Because the course takes place on Semester at Sea, students will apply course concepts in real time as we travel. Prior to arrival in each country, students will engage with materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health resources to examine region-specific health risks, prevention strategies, and public health infrastructure. These preparatory investigations will be paired with in-country observations and reflective assignments that consider how local practices align with—or diverge from—global health frameworks discussed in the course.
Through readings, discussions, and applied field-based inquiry, students will develop a comparative understanding of how health is defined, experienced, and addressed around the world. The course emphasizes critical analysis of global health inequities while encouraging students to consider culturally responsive and sustainable approaches to improving health outcomes across varied international contexts.