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Sustainable Development in Health and Ecology

Learn how to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to promote health, wellbeing, and the prevention of diseases.

An illustration of healthy living in the city with icons representing UN Sustainable Development Goals to promote health, wellbeing, and the prevention of diseases.

Sustainable Development in Health and Ecology

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Unpack the Sustainable Development Goals, focussing on SDG 3

Climate change is already impacting resources, people, and the environment. To help combat this, the UN Sustainable Development Goals offer a blueprint to help us contribute to sustainability.

On this six-week course, you’ll gain a solid introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals with a particular focus on SDG 3, which aims to promote wellbeing for all.

Through practical examples, you’ll explore different topics to understand how organisations and higher education institutions can best respond to the SDGs.

Gain an understanding of water pollution and mosquito diseases

You’ll start by unpacking sustainable development actions that can be taken to develop safe drinking water resources.

Next, you’ll explore a case study on ecology to understand water bioindicators and mosquito disease control and how this relates to several SDG targets.

Discover the harmful effects of air pollution

There are many types and sources of air pollution. On the course, you’ll unpack the definition of air pollution before exploring its harmful effects on human health such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive functions.

Understand the relationship between sustainable development and human health

Finally, you’ll explore the correlation between sustainable development and human health issues – both physical and mental.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify the SDG targets you can work toward to help promote human health and wellbeing.

Guided by the experts at Taipei Medical University, you’ll finish the course with the skills to contribute to sustainable development for both health and ecology.

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Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals 3

    • Introduction to Sustainable Development

      We will briefly discuss the SDGs goal and see the course structure. TMU's professors have a medical background and we will focus more on SDG 3.

    • TMU's Development on SDGs

      At Taipei Medical University, there are lots of works and achievements on environmental health and sanitation in order to improve human health and the environment. Watch Prof Chien introduce these projects.

    • Reference

      In this session, we provide additional topic relates to Global Health. If you are interested, take a look at these details. Skipping them will not affect your learning.

  • Week 2

    Water and Sanitation

    • Drinking Water Safety

      We will explore water quality and health in this session. Water quality is crucial for maintaining human health. Prof Hu will introduce the tap water purification process.

    • Bioindicator and Water Quality

      In the context of water quality, bioindicators can be used to monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of drinking water. Prof Hu will introduce bioindicators in this session.

    • Other Bioindicators and Conclusion

      Macroinvertebrates and aquatic insects can be used as bioindicators to measure water quality. Prof Hu will introduce how they could help to maintain water quality.

  • Week 3

    Controlling Mosquito-borne Diseases

    • Mosquito-borne Diseases and Vector Control

      Prof Chuang will introduce mosquito ecology and mosquito-borne diseases and we will discuss mosquito control. Mosquitoes are relevant to SDG 3 because of their role in transmitting diseases that can affect human health.

    • Mosquito Control and Insecticide Resistance in Mosquito

      Various methods can be used to control mosquitoes, including the use of insecticides, biological control, and environmental management. Prof Chuang will continue to introduce mosquito control.

  • Week 4

    Air Pollution

    • Source and Harmful Effect of Air Pollution

      Air pollution is a complex issue that affects many aspects of sustainable development. Addressing this challenge is crucial for achieving several of the SDGs, including those related to health, water and sanitation.

    • Common Pollutants and Respiratory Diseases

      What is the common air pollutant around our environment? Prof Chao will introduce types of pollutants and how air pollution caused respiratory diseases.

    • Other Research on Air Pollution

      Prof Chao will introduce a few pieces of research on the impact of air pollution and conclude this week.

  • Week 5

    Exposure Assessment and Biomonitoring

    • Exposure Assessment and Biomonitoring

      Exposure assessment and biomonitoring are two important methods used in environmental health studies to evaluate human exposure to potentially harmful substances in the environment. Watch this session to learn more.

    • Interpretation of Biomonitoring Results

      After measuring the levels of these substances in a person's body, how can we assess the potential risks and take steps to reduce exposure? Watch Prof Chang to explain more.

  • Week 6

    Affective States and Health

    • Stress and Mental Health

      We will explore the relationship between stress and emotion in this session.

    • Emotion and Diseases

      We will explore how emotion can affect our health in this session.

    • Positive Mood and Health

      Positive mood can affect health include reducing stress levels, improving cardiovascular health, boosting the immune system, and enhancing social connections. Find out the research results in this session.

    • Assessment time

      This is a final review of this course. Check to see if you understand the content of each week.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explaining the meaning and examples of Sustainable Development Goal 3
  • Exploring water quality and biological indicators
  • Investigate air pollution and health associations
  • Exploring mosquito ecology and control
  • Explaining mental health issues and sustainable management
  • Explain exposure assessment and biomonitoring

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in public health and the development of SDGs.

It will be of particular interest to students of public health.

Who will you learn with?

Professor, Department of Public Health
Taipei Medical University

Who developed the course?

Taipei Medical University

Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been a leader in Taiwan’s healthcare system for over half a century due to its research, teaching excellence, internationalization and outstanding medical service.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$129/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 18 Jul 2023

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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