Prospectus

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Non-communicable Diseases

Course
2021-2022

Admission requirements

Required course(s):

  • Biology (at least high school-level)

Description

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality. Almost 80% of deaths due to NCDs occur in low- and middle income countries.

The emerge of NCDs is not only driven by aging but also by rapid and unplanned urbanization and globalisation of unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and unhealthy diets as well as metabolic adaptations than can occur early in life.

This course will focus on social determinants and physiological risk factors of the most common NCDs with the highest disease burden and impact. Also, the course will address the current paradigms and controversies in epidemiology, health systems and prevention policies.

Course Objectives

After this course students will be able to:

  • Describe the epidemiology and trends of non-communicable diseases

  • Distinguish determinants of non-communicable diseases at an individual and at a population level

  • Apply the life course approach to the etiology of non-communicable diseases

  • Explain socio-economic inequalities in the occurrence of non-communicable diseases.

  • Know pros and cons of different prevention, diagnostic and treatment programs for non-communicable diseases.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2021-2022 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

Lectures, assignments, group discussions.

Assessment Method

Group discussion: 20%
Group assignment: 30% - week 1-7
Individual written assignment: 40% - week 8
Individual participation: 10% - ongoing

These assignments might be in other weeks depending on the final program which will be documented in the syllabus.

Reading list

Research articles

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Nic Saadah, n.h.saadah@lumc.nl