At the University of Iowa we have defined global health as an area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global health emphasizes transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions; it involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences including, for example, engineering, business, law, social sciences, and the humanities. The global health studies track introduces students to health conditions, practices, and health-care systems across cultures, focusing not only on manifestations of disease and health-care systems but also on the underlying forces and institutions such as technology, politics, culture, legal structure, history, and economics that collectively influence patterns of health and disease. Students take courses in anthropology, geography, history, gender, women's and sexuality studies, public health, and aging studies to learn about global health concerns.

Examples of post-graduation opportunities for International Studies graduates who have completed the Global Health studies track include: 

• Program Coordinator - Iowa Bicycle Coalition (Iowa City)
• Marketing & Happiness - Picky Bars LLC (Bend, Oregon)
• Recruiter - Aerotek Scientific (San Francisco, California)
• Senior Manager of Communications and Administration - FUEL Education (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Assistant Director, Sickle Cell Center - University of Illinois Hospital & Health Science System (Chicago, Illinois)
• Health Volunteer - Peace Corps (Guatemala)
• Masters program in Social Work (University of Texas, Austin)
• Masters program in Community and Behavioral Health (University of Iowa)
• Doctor of Optometry program (Southern California College of Optometry)
• MD (medical doctor) program (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Johns Hopkins; University of Iowa)

World Language Study

Although English has become the major language for communication among health professionals internationally, there is still value in learning a major world language. 

Additionally, interacting with patients and health practitioners in some settings will benefit from at least some familiarity with a local, less commonly taught, language (for example, Mayan in part of Mexico or Kannada in Southern India). The Language Media Center is an option for students who wish to study languages which are not currently taught at the University. This allows students to build language skills but because the Language Media Center does not offer credit, this language study does not satisfy the International Studies B.A. language requirement. 

Track Requirements

The Global Health studies track requires a minimum of 18 s.h. of coursework, including at least 12 s.h. earned in courses numbered 2000 or above. Students may not count their foundation courses toward track requirements.