The number of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising. This course will explore the main NCDs including cardio-vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mental health disorders and cancer. It will cover the geographical variation in disease and provide students with the opportunity to assess and evaluate comprehensive solutions to reduce chronic diseases. The course will also explore how to communicate and minister to people living with NCDs.
Students will need background training in epidemiology and demography and an ability to critcally appraise research publications to inform decision making. The course will cover the biological basis of disease, how food and nutrition affects NCDs, the role of individuals, population aging and dilemas and paradoxes affecting global strategies.
How do you/ would you cope living with a chronic illness? How may this affect ones relationship with God? The course will equip students with the scientifc knowledge regarding NCDs and associated risk factors. Students will critically evaluate research and determine how to interpret often conflicting research outcomes. It will also enable them to determine how to communicate with patients to help them cope with these chronic conditions and improve health.
Our primary purpose in life is to glorify God. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31); this will be explored in relation to lifestyle choices that affect health and NCD risk and how missional students can communicate this to the communities in which they are working. Students will be required to determine how they might influence these lifestyle choices and support parishioners and the local public in effecting change.
Chronic diseases may not only impact ones physical health but can often lead to spiritual struggles. The course will explore how to relate to those with NCDs. Additionally the course will equip students with the ability to reach out to those making poor lifestyle choices in order to effect change and improve health.
The course will provide the scientific context of disease and provide students will knowledge to minister to patients who have been affected by NCDs contextualising how the bible portrays ill health and suffering.
The course will explore the epidemiology of NCDs investigating cultural influences on lifestyle choices, disease incidence, prevalence and mortality.
The course will help to build students knowledge of NCDs and associated risk factors exploring how NCDs affect individuals. They will examine how to appriase epidemiological research studies and evaluate how to determine effective interventions. They will examine how to minister in their communities to improve health and cope with living with a chronic disease.
Students will be tasked with identifying an intervention demonstrated to improve prognosis of a NCD and design an intervention program, using a biblically based framework.
