Serving communities, creating solutions, impacting change.
By studying Pacific and Global Health, you will grow a strong understanding of how global health issues impact on developed and developing countries.
With a particular focus on Pacific peoples, you will learn more about our diverse cultures and concepts of well-being, how our health has been impacted by historical and contemporary challenges, and learn and design positive solutions to improve the health and well-being of Pacific peoples.
Learn in an immersive environment
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of the conversations we have in lectures or tutorials about why such health statistics exist and how we can use our skills to meet the needs of the communities we work with.”
— Rhonda Matagi Tomasi
BHealSc Student
- Meet and learn first-hand from community and global health leaders
- Learn by participating in various Pacific cultural practices
- Gain an understanding of holistic approaches to health and well-being
- Gain global strategies and perspectives on health and well-being, and use these to serve Pacific families and communities
- Celebrate and encourage diversity and inclusion in the learning environment
Specifically, you will learn:
- How to effectively engage with Pacific peoples and our communities to develop and create positive solutions within the context of health care and its provision at a population level
- Historical, social, and cultural contexts to Pacific peoples and our health, as well as strategies for developing solutions that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Pacific peoples
- How to apply Pacific belief systems, values, principles, and ethical approaches related to health
- How health challenges are approached in a global context in a variety of developed and developing countries
- How to develop meaningful and impactful solutions for addressing global health challenges that affect communities in developing countries
Build skills to make a difference
As our world becomes more global and interconnected, new challenges are impacting the health and well-being of our communities.
These challenges include:
- Populations and people living for longer, and often living with multiple long-term conditions and disabilities
- Limited health resources
- Changing physical environments and their effects on health
With these challenges comes an increasing need to develop innovative solutions and approaches to health care.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) majoring in Pacific and Global Health is a three-year degree for those who want to be an integral part of these new approaches.
This career-focused qualification focuses on the skills required to work with patients, populations, and communities to promote health and ensure patients are accessing and receiving the most appropriate care.
Career opportunities
As a graduate majoring in Pacific and Global Health, you will have a strong holistic and global perspective of health and well-being, with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve the needs of Pacific people and communities in New Zealand and across the Pacific region.
In a time of globalisation, changing societies, and climate change, you will have the knowledge and skills to support Pacific and mainstream solutions to improving health.
Student profile – Rhonda Matagi Tomasi
Rhonda chose to study for a Bachelor of Health Sciences after completing Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).
“I chose Pacific and Global Health as my major because of my Pacific background. Several members of my family, as well as people in my community, have faced health problems and I thought this qualification would help me understand why these issues exist.
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of the conversations we have in lectures or tutorials about why such health statistics exist and how we can use our skills to meet the needs of the communities we work with.”
Rhonda especially enjoyed the paper focusing on Pacific Health.
“What I learnt in the paper really answered the questions I had about the health status of Pacific people. It complimented what I was studying in other Public Health papers and gave me a different approach to go about bettering the health outcomes of Pacific people and other high-need communities.
“I think that wherever I end up working in the healthcare field, this degree will equip me with a broader understanding of the provision of healthcare services, as well as helping me better interact with the people I work with. I hope to complete a medical degree and this qualification will add so much more to my future career.”
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification page:
- Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
Please note: The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) is not the same as Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) majoring in Pacific and Global Health
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau at least two of | 18 18 18 18 36 |
| 300-level | PACH 301 Pacific Health: Advanced Applied Knowledge PUBH 303 Public and Global Health: Current Issues at least two of | 18 18 36 |
| Plus | 126 further points The following papers are suggested: ACCT 102, ASIA 101, BSNS 113, CMHC 201, ECON 112, GLBL 101, HIST 107, MANT 101, PACI 103, STAT 115; ECON 201, ENGL 228, MANT 217, MANT 251, SOCI 205, STAT 210; CMHC 301, ECON 306, HIST 337, PACI 301, PACI 310, POLS 303, STAT 310 | 126 |
| Total | 360 |
Minor subject requirements
Pacific and Global Health as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | POPH 192 Population Health or PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology | 18 |
| 200-level | PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | 18 | |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available to students majoring in Community Health Care.
Key information for future students
Contact us
Contact your local schools’ liaison officer if you’re currently at secondary school.
Or contact the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) team:
Tel +64 3 479 7202
Email bhealsc@otago.ac.nz
Pacific and Global Health is delivered by Va'a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health:
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/pacific/vaa-o-tautai.html
