Student blogs

^{Cover photo by Jean Marc Ferré Creative Commons License.}

One of the most frequent questions that I get from you guys is, “What can I do with a Master’s degree in Global Health?” While I do not advise pursuing a Master’s in Global Health if you do not already have a fair idea of what you would like to do in the future, I thought that this list might help some. Global Health is a fairly new area but its importance has been emphasized by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The need for all sorts of backgrounds e.g., the medical sciences, politics, anthropology, education, biochemistry and education is paramount to tackling the global health challenge. Therefore here are some opportunities that you may like to pursue with a Master’s in Global Health.

1.) Global Health Diplomacy

Understandably the most sought-after title in Global Health. A global health diplomat is imperative to discussing foreign policy and security as it pertains to health. The world is not made up of countries that are isolated to the point where there is no contact. People are forever travelling, moving and so are diseases. It is important to have people trained in Global health who can negotiate for new medicines, discuss foreign policy related to developing awareness around health, and be involved in global health security. Global Health diplomats typically work for the Ministry of Health or regional health offices, on a governing level.

2.) Global Health Security Specialist

The word “security” makes you think that there is some sort of threat. The threat is the spread of infectious diseases and pandemics of course. However, our security systems are no alarms and guns but rather resilient health systems with the ability to control and minimise the effects of an outbreak, epidemic or pandemic. Each country engages in some sort of global health security to ensure that its citizens are properly protected and that there are enough vaccines or testing kits to bring a disease under control. A Global Health Security specialist works to detect these threats and prepare for emergencies.

3.) Global Health Programme Manager

There are undoubtedly many programmes aimed at improving Global Health worldwide by various international organisations, NGOs and government offices. Sometimes these are a collaboration between organisations or countries. A Global Health Programme Manager oversees these projects in different countries and makes sure that they are implemented effectively.

4.) Global Health Researcher

There are many areas in Global Health Research but I will try to be broad:
Medical Research- those in Global Health research can conduct studies to understand diseases and how they spread from one country to another. Or research why NCDs have been increasing globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. or they can look at traffic implementation to determine why trauma occurs on the road. The possibilities are endless.
Cultural research- Anthropologists in global health work to understand the different cultural contexts to effectively design and implement health care programmes that align with the different cultural beliefs and norms of a country.
Political research- Those from a political science background might look at how their countries can better finance healthcare systems. How to improve healthcare access and equity and other areas.

4.) Global Health Journalism

Global Health journalists specialise in reporting about disease outbreaks, healthcare systems, and health policy. They look at the disparities in global health and the humanitarian crisis and try to draw attention to issues in global health that require a global response.

5.) Health Economist

Health economists look at health systems and analyse the different areas of health systems to improve their overall function. They also look at interventions to improve the allocation of resources and how to improve access to care.

And many more.

To wrap up, a Master’s in Global Health can be a very versatile degree, allowing you to specialise in many areas and adapt to evolving global health challenges. Also, the specific job titles and roles may vary from one organisation or country to another. So, it’s always a good idea to research specific programs, organisations, and job opportunities that align with your career goals and interests so that you can choose the most suitable path.