Professors Without Borders Think Tank

Are you interested in exploring health policy and disease management and prevention on a global scale? If so, check out our list of free, online courses in the areas of global heath and disability.*

Global Health and Disability

Able-Minded – Mental Health and People with Intellectual Disability

edX–University of Queensland

This course will focus on the mental health issues of people with intellectual disability. Students will learn about the complexities of diagnosing mental health issues in people with intellectual disabilities and explore the legal and ethical complexities in health practice for patients who often require substituted consent.

  • 5 weeks; 1/2 hours per week
  • Intellectual Disability XSeries Program
  • Introductory Level
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 48 GBP

Global Blindness: Planning and Managing Eye Care Services

Future Learn– London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

This course highlights the key facts about avoidable blindness and global initiatives to address it.

  • 6 weeks; 4 hours per week
  • Available in English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 52 GBP

Global Health and Disability

Future Learn– London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

This course aims to raise awareness about the importance of health and well-being of people with disabilities in the context of the global development agenda.

  • 3 weeks; 4 hours per week
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 42 GBP

Integrated Healthcare for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Future Learn– London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

This course will enhance your knowledge of children with developmental disabilities. Students will also focus on how to improve healthcare provision for a vulnerable group, by working in partnership with families and other essential services, such as education or social care providers.

  • 3 weeks; 4 hours per week
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 42 GBP

Through My Eyes – Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World

edX–University of Queensland

This health course examines the challenges and aid received in healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. Students will hear stories from individuals and their family members regarding their experience of specific syndromes and communication difficulties, healthy living. The course will also explore the history of treatment, the impact of rights’ movements on healthcare delivery, common health conditions, and health promotion.

  • 4 weeks; 1/2 hours per week
  • Intellectual Disability XSeries Program
  • Introductory Level
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 48 GBP

Well and Able – Improving the Physical Health of People with Intellectual Disability

edX–University of Queensland

This course will examine the specific physical health issues that affect people with an intellectual disability including, oral health, syndrome specific health issues, health communication, especially for non-verbal patients, and sexual health. Students will also explore the interactions between tertiary and primary healthcare systems and how they impact individuals with intellectual disabilities. The course also includes sections on complex care including issues associated with aging and spasticity, and the health impacts of epilepsy.

  • 5 weeks; 1/2 hours per week
  • Intellectual Disability XSeries Program
  • Introductory Level
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 48 GBP

Global Health

Global Public Health

edX– SDG Academy

This course will ask students explore how health is influenced by a variety of factors at the local and global levels. You will also explore how investments in healthcare can contribute to positive development outcomes including: poverty reduction, gender equality, universal education, economic development and many more!

  • 10 weeks; 4/6 hours per week
  • Intermediate Level
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 40 GBP

Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety

edX– Harvard University

The course will help students learn more about how to measure and improve that care – for themselves, for their institutions, or for their countries. You will use concrete tools and proven strategies to propose concrete solutions for global health challenges.

  • 10 weeks; 2/4 hours per week
  • Intermediate Level
  • Certificate of Achievement for 80 GBP

Improving the Health of Women, Children and Adolescents

Future Learn– London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

This course will provide you with the skills to analyse the latest data and evidence pertaining to the human life cycle – from birth to adulthood. By the end of this course, you will understand how ‘lifecycle thinking’ can help us improve maternal and child health in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

  • 6 weeks; 4 hours per week
  • Introductory Level
  • Certificate of Achievement available for 42 GBP

The Health Effects of Climate Change

edX– Harvard University

This course will explain how climate change impacts people around the globe, but also how it directly affects you and your life. Using data and guidance from the Harvard Global Health Institute, you will develop strategies mitigate the health risks of climate change.

  • 7 weeks long; 3/5 hours per week
  • Introductory Level
  • Certificate of Achievement for 80 GBP

*This is not an exhaustive list and our team will regularly update the entries with the most up-to-date information.