Identify the main determinants of health in a specific global setting and analyse their impact on a specific population

Assignment overview

In this assignment, your task is to critically analyse the impact of globalisation on health in low-income countries, and to evaluate two specific health projects in these countries. The assignment should be written in essay format with an introduction, main body, and a conclusion, with a coherent argument throughout. It is composed of two parts: 

Part 1 is focused on global issues; in this part, you are expected to critically discuss the impact of globalisation on health in low-income countries. This can be achieved by addressing at least three dimensions of globalisation and their impact on health, using statistics and examples from specific countries. This part should also include a discussion on which populations are most or least likely to benefit from globalisation. You must theorise your argument in part 1 using at least one of the globalisation frameworks.

Part 2 is focused on global actions. In this part, you are required to identify and critically evaluate two health-related projects in low-income countries. You should be briefly describe each project, then critically analyse their effectiveness in relation to international guidelines and the local factors. You are also expected to compare the effectiveness of the two projects based on your evaluation.  

Below is a detailed breakdown of both parts of this assignment and the marking criteria.

Detailed breakdown and marking criteria

Your assignment should cover the following:

Title:

Your essay should have a clear unambiguous title.

5 marks

Introduction:

• Demonstrate understanding of the globalisation process, state your main argument, and outline content.
• Approximately 250 words.

5 marks

Part 1: Global issues

• Critically analyse the impact of globalisation on health in low-income countries.
• This part covers LO1 and LO2.
• Approximately 1800 words.
• Include the following:

Globalisation dimensions and their impact:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key dimensions of globalisation.
• Discuss at least three dimensions of globalisation and their impact on health.
• Discuss specific examples within each dimension, and show how these influence population health.

10 marks

Supportive examples and comparisons:

• Give examples from several specific countries in your discussion.
• Support your argument with relevant current statistics, including Gini Index, Human Development Index, mortality rates,  prevalence, incidence, or other relevant indicators.
• Compare these examples to support your argument.

10 marks

Globalisation and inequalities

• Discuss which population groups are most and least likely to benefit from globalisation, such as socioeconomic groups, gender, age, ethnic backgrounds, or other groups.
• Suggest reasons to explain these inequalities, with specific examples.

10 marks

Globalisation framework

• Adopt a globalisation framework to support your argument.
• Use the framework to explain the impact of globalisation on population health and health inequalities.

15 marks

Part 2: Global actions  

• Critically evaluate two specific projects that aim to improve health within low-income countries.
• This part covers LO3.
• Approximately 1000 words
• Include the following:

Health projects:

• Identify two health-related projects in low-income countries.
• Briefly describe each of these projects.

10 marks

Global guidelines:

• Evaluate each project in relation to specific global guidelines or actions, such as the Ottawa and Bangkok Charters, Sustainable Development Goals, or Closing the Gap recommendations, or other relevant global actions.
• Comment on how well each project follows these guidelines.

10 marks

The local context

• Consider local factors relevant to each project, such as cultural factors, conflict, the role of global health actors or the health system. 

5 marks

Compare the two projects:

• Compare your evaluation of the two projects.
• Examine how likely is each project to address health inequalities.

5 marks

Conclusion:

• Provide a final summary to conclude your argument.
• Approximately 200 words.

5 marks

Overall:

• The logical flow of information, coherence, and consistency of argument.
• Language and formatting: A clear writing style, with no typing, spelling, or grammatical errors.
• Referencing: Harvard referencing correctly used in-text and in the reference list.

10 marks

Advice, in your assignment, consider the following:

ü Read the assignment brief carefully.

ü Remember to provide a title to your work.

ü Write an essay with no sub-headings.

ü Have a clear argument throughout your work.

ü Support your argument with evidence (cite your resources)

ü Use a range of reliable resources such as research articles and international reports.

ü Ensure the logical flow of information and the connectivity between part 1 and part 2.

ü Remember, the assignment is on health in low-income countries, part 1 must include examples from low-income countries, both projects in part 2 must be in low-income countries.

ü Provide an overall conclusion.

ü You can provide appendices for data, figures, or descriptive information. These are additional information and not a major part of your essay.

ü You must respond to the task and meet the learning outcomes within the allowed word limit.

ü Make sure to use academic language, Harvard referencing, and proofread your work.

ü Your work must demonstrate the following: knowledge and comprehension, analysis and synthesis, and critique.

ü Your work must meet the learning outcomes (please refer to the threshold criteria and level 6 descriptor below).

Learning outcomes

Threshold assessment criteria

LO1

Identify the main determinants of health in a specific global setting and analyse their impact on a specific population.

Display a coherent understanding of the dimensions of globalisation. Critically discuss how these dimensions influence health and determine health outcomes in low-income countries. Critically analyse which populations are most or least likely to benefit from the globalisation dimensions addressed. Use relevant evidence, specific examples, and statistics to support your argument.

LO2

Apply relevant theoretical perspectives to explain global inequalities in health.

Develop a coherent argument and utilise a globalisation framework to theorise your argument. Use the framework to conceptualise the impact of globalisation on population health and explain the impact on different groups.

LO3

Evaluate the effectiveness of health activities in addressing global health inequalities.

Identify two health-related projects in low-income countries. Appraise these projects in relation to international guidelines. Consider other issues in your analysis such as the local context, culture, and the health system. Compare the two projects and justify which one is more likely to be effective based on your evaluation. 

Mark

University level 6 descriptor

90-100%

Exceptional level of analysis, showing deep critical engagement with a comprehensive range of contextual material. Demonstration of independent thought resulting in highly original or creative responses to the assignment. Provision of clear evidence of understanding of current scholarship and research based on an extensive range of relevant sources. Extreme clarity of structure demonstrating complete focus of argument.

No obvious errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.

90-89%

Excellent links between relevant ideas, theories and practice. Evidence of clearly independent scholarship and the ability to engage critically and analytically with a wide range of contextually relevant resource material.

Demonstration of original insights, supported by extremely well structured overall argument.

Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.

70% -79%

Very good links between a range of different ideas and theories. Places issues in a wider context. Evidence of clear understanding of a range of relevant theories and application of these appropriately. Independent ideas, well argued and supported.

Few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.

(60-69%)

Clear links between theory and practice. Good coverage of assignment issues. Full understanding of core issues.

Evidenced level of understanding of appropriate theory and concepts.

Some small repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate

(50-59%)

Identifies main issues and relevant theory. Coverage of most of assignment issues. Competent application of relevant theory and states obvious links to practice.

Some repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.

(40-49%)

Makes few links between theory and practice. Answers question in a very basic way.

Describes relevant theory accurately, and some relevant ideas offered.

Limited coherence of structure

(30-39%)

Some learning outcomes and / or assessment criteria not met.

Inadequate content with issues not addressed; insufficient evidence of understanding of relevant theory and concepts and only partial understanding shown. Very limited application of theory. Use of extensive quoted passages is evident.

Evidence of sufficient grasp of learning outcomes to suggest that the student will be able to retrieve the module on resubmission.

(1-29%)

20-29% No learning outcomes fully met.

No demonstration of adequate knowledge or understanding of key concepts or theories. There is no recognition of the complexity of the subject

10-19% Little attempt to engage with assignment brief and has not met learning outcomes. Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.

0-9% Little attempt to engage with assignment brief and has not met learning outcomes. Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.