This programme (formerly known as MSc Health, Population and Society) intends to provide state-of-the-art training for population and health issues, both substantive and policy related. In the last 50 years the improvements in health have been dramatic in both developed and developing societies. As a result the average life expectancy of human populations increased rapidly. Western societies are being faced with an ageing population, in a new demographic regime of low mortality and low fertility. Their governments are faced with difficult decision making on health expenditure and health reform to meet these demographic changes. While some developing societies in Asia and Latin America are following this experience, most of Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a mortality crisis as a result of the escalating HIV/AIDS epidemic. What will be the future implications of health and mortality in this region? How will the population structure and growth be influenced? What will be the policies to avoid this epidemic and improve the health of these populations? These and many more questions will be dealt in this new master programme.
It is difficult to separate the demographic and the health aspect and the policies that should respond to them. This is why the new programme sees population and health issues closely related to each other and so are the policies responding to them. This is quite unique in its approach. The course will meet the needs of both professionals and those who wish to pursue a research career. The programme represents a shift from the core interests in population and health to a multidimensional approach.