Build your capabilities and join a global network of health leaders driving equity change
Every day, health systems fail people who need help most. Children do not get vaccines. Women cannot reach care. Research leaves out the people it should help. Policies forget poor and excluded groups. You can help change this.
What is this course?
EQUITY-001 Equity matters is a 16-day online course that teaches people who work for health – health professionals, researchers, policy makers, and funders – how to solve health inequity challenges in their communities.
The course uses the HEART method. HEART stands for Human Equity Action Reflection Transformation. This method helps people who work for health work together to find real solutions.
This course was created by a group of health workers from all over the world, in partnership with The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF).
What health workers have said about this method
“I became aware of the deep unfairness around me, even in places I thought I knew.” — Physician, Democratic Republic of Congo
“I am no longer passive. I actively work toward changing systems that create unfairness.” — Community health worker, Bulgaria
What will you learn?
In 16 days, you will develop a practical project to help you lead change in your work:
- How to study a complex health inequity situation.
- How to find the real reasons why health inequities happen.
- How to give helpful advice to other health workers.
- How to work with others and build a team of supporters.
- How to lead change in your job with a clear action plan.
What will you create?
You will build a project that solves a real health inequity problem from your work. This is not a test. It is a tool you will use to help people in your community.
Your project follows five simple steps:
- Tell your story: Start with a true story of unfair treatment in health you have seen.
- Find the root cause: Look deeper to find the root cause for this health inequity.
- Understand your role: Think about your connection to this inequity and how your job gives you power to help.
- Create your action plan: Build a plan that works with the community, not just for them.
- Check your work: Make sure your plan helps the community and respects the right to health.
How the 16-day course works
Days 1-5: Build your project: You will study an unfair health problem from your work. You choose which problem to work on. Expert guides help you think through solutions.
Days 6-10: Help three other learners: You will read three other learners’ projects and give helpful feedback. This helps you learn from health problems in other countries.
Days 11-15: Make your project better: You will use the feedback from other learners to improve your project and make it stronger.
Day 16: Share your final project: You will present your finished project and join a global network of health leaders working for fair treatment.
Who should join?
This course can be helpful to anyone who wants to take action to make health more equitable. This includes:
- People who work for health: Your experience is important for finding solutions. Build connections with researchers and policy makers who can help remove barriers.
- Researchers: Learn to work with communities as real partners. Connect with workers who understand how to put research into practice.
- Policy makers: Understand why health programs fail to reach some groups. Learn from workers who see how policies affect real people.
- Programme managers and funders: Learn how to design programs that help reduce health inequities.
What comes after this course?
This course is your first step toward becoming an expert in health equity. Advanced courses include:
- Impact accelerator: Get help turning your plans into real results.
- Strategy and policy development: Learn to write policies that leave no one behind.
- Situation analysis: Learn fast methods to diagnose equity problems in your area.
- Advocacy and business cases: Learn to write strong arguments that convince leaders to care about equity.
How to participate
- Free access: All course materials and learning opportunities are free for everyone.
- Optional certification: Choose paid certification to validate your new skills. Certification follows European Qualification Framework standards. This helps with job advancement and continuing education requirements.
- Recognition: All learners who finish the course receive an official letter. Learners who choose certification also receive a certificate showing their proven skills.
Join a global movement
Connect with health workers across 137 countries who participate in The Geneva Learning Foundation’s programmes.
- This network becomes your ongoing resource for working together and supporting each other as you lead change for fairness.
- Your participation helps build a global platform of health leaders driving change on the ground.
- Together, this network fights unfairness gaps wherever they exist, supporting each other across traditional boundaries to make health systems work for everyone.