GEHS 6900/SPHU 4650 Public Health Threats in Suriname

June 3 – July 26, 2013

Key Learning Objectives

Ecosystem and environmental health

• Describe the general characteristics of the Suriname ecosystem
• Characterize the risks posed by environmental contamination to ecosystem and population health
• Develop community-based intervention strategies to address those risks
• Identify environmental factors influencing the public’s health in Suriname
• Assess the leading causes of morbidity and mortality
• Describe the public health implications of mercury contamination potentially related to gold mining affecting indigenous food sources, specifically fish
• Assess the access and use of pesticides in large and small-scale agriculture
• Describe public health relevance of nutriceuticals and indigenous medicinal plants

Course Timeline

• June 3 – July 3: directed readings
• July 5 – 18: abroad component
• July 19 - 26: case study completion

Academics/Syllabus

• Register for the course
• 3 credit course : June 3 – July 26
• Readings:

Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice, M. Plotkin
Additional topic-specific articles 

• Language: English
• Grading Components

Daily Journals (10%)
Field Trip Reports (30%)
Policy Fact Sheets (15%)
Case Study Presentation (15%)
Case Study Report (30%)

Service Learning

• 20 hours
• Public health focus
• Coordinated by the Ministry of Health’s Bureau of Public Health

Other important issues

• Temperature: 90 degrees, humid
• Electricity: 110V (round plugs)
• Communication

Cell phones only in the city
Buy local phone or sim-card and use sim-lock free phone
Official language: Dutch
Many other languages
Common everyday language: Sranang Tongo
Many Internet cafes (hotel, other Internet cafes)