University of Pittsburgh
2024 Global Health Case Competition
I not only met people from other academic fields and created a memorable relationship, but also learned specific knowledge in terms of global health and how to apply the understandings from other classes in a more realistic manner.‘21 student participant
I was able to think deeply about medical issues globally and with my team, come up with an intervention plan. It helped me get over my fear of public speaking too.‘22 student participant
I gained invaluable experience working across disciplines to tackle a real-life global health challenge and in the process we’ve learned so much about the value of diverse perspectives and cross-collaboration.’23 student participant
Congratulations to the 2024 Global Health Case Competition 1st Place Team!
- Kate Carpenter, Junior (Psychology)
- Britney David, DNP (School of Nursing)
- Rebecca Duncan, DNP (School of Nursing)
- Brandon Hale, Junior (Neuroscience & Spanish)
- Niyati Savur, MPH (Human Genetics)
- Thanmayee Yalamanchi, Junior (Anthropology)
Congratulations to the 2024 Global Health Case Competition 2nd Place Team!
Congratulations to the 2nd place team for their project titled R.E.A.C.H Forward: Amputee Care and Rehabilitation Across in Syrian Refugee Camps Across Jordan.
The Global Health Case Competition 1nd Place Team Members:
- Rida Ashraf, Junior (Neuroscience)
- Rhheaa Mehta, Junior (Neuroscience)
- Maysoon Idrees, Junior (Microbiology)
- Aqsa Owais, Junior (Engineering)
- Sara Barac, MPH
- Chelsea Pepprah, Sophomore (Public Health)
Pitt’s Global Health Case Competition is an intensive and exciting dive into a real-world global health problem. The competition is designed to give undergraduate and graduate students professional experience in developing innovative 21st century solutions and strategies to address a real-world global health issue. We welcome all students from the University of Pittsburgh and students enrolled in institutions located within Northern and North Central Appalachian Regions (About the Appalachian Region - Appalachian Regional Commission).
Over a two-week timeframe, interdisciplinary teams of four to six graduate and undergraduate students will develop a plan to address a scenario in a holistic way based on information garnered during a series of presentation/workshop by experts along with a comprehensive library guide prepared specifically for the case study.
The top teams will receive cash prizes and support to register and, if accepted, to attend the Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition. (Pitt cannot guarantee a slot in the Emory Case Competition.)
The case competition is sponsored by the School of Public Health’s Center for Global Health and Pitt’s Global Studies Center.
*University of Pittsburgh students participating in the competition have the option to earn one academic credit, either at the undergraduate or graduate level (depending on their status.) The course must be added before the add/drop period. Course number:
- Undergraduate PUBHLT 1902
- Graduate: BCHS 2511-1001
Pitt’s winning teams have gone on to compete against more than fifty teams from around the world at Emory University’s global competition. Pitt’s team have consistently placed in the top three teams. View the 2023 First Place and Second Place presentations at Pitt’s competition on our YouTube channel.
Registration for the 2024 Global Health Case Competition is now closed. Thank you to all who registered! Check back in Fall 2025 for the registration link, timeline, and other details for the Global Health Case Competition 2025.
The competition is organized by the Global Studies Center and the Center for Global Health, School of Public Health and supported this year with contributions from the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, and the Center for African Studies.
Global Health Case Competition FAQs
*Dates are subject to change
Who can participate?
The competition is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all areas of study from the University of Pittsburgh and students enrolled in institutions located within Northern and North Central Appalachian Regions (About the Appalachian Region - Appalachian Regional Commission (arc.gov)). Post-graduate and post-doctoral fellows are not eligible to participate. Teams must be composed of four to six students from three or more disciplines and a mix of both undergraduate and graduate students. Teams comprised of all undergraduates are eligible but not all graduate students. There are two options for registration:
- A student may register individually and will be assigned teammates from other academic disciplines to form a full team.
- Two or three students may register as a partial team and will be assigned teammates from other academic disciplines to form a full team.
How are teams created?
Those who register individually or in small groups will be assigned additional team members. Teams are assigned to ensure graduate/undergraduate mix and at least three schools/departments are represented. Each team must assign a captain.
What is the case?
The case is a 10 to 20-page document that presents a real-world global health challenge, a specific time frame for project deliverables and a total budget amount. Teams analyze the case, attend the workshops, conduct background research and create and present a proposed solution to the challenge with a supporting budget. Examples of previous year case competitions can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@PittGlobalStudies/videos
How much time must a student commit?
In addition to attendance at scheduled workshops in October, successful teams have found that spending an additional 10-20 hours working together on their project yields optimal results.
Do I have to earn credit if participating in the competition?
No but it is an option for University of Pittsburgh students to earn credit for their participation. If you choose to register as a student by the end of add/drop (Sept 13) you’ll enroll in PUBHLT 1902 if an undergraduate and BCHS 2511-1001 for graduate students. Email Dr. Salter (cys6@pitt.edu) and Paul Margraf (pjm111@pitt.edu) for a special permission number. Students earning credit must attend all sessions, participate in the team presentation, and complete an evaluation form.
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. Can I earn OCC, Honors OCC, and/or Global Distinction credit?
Yes; if you do not wish to earn credit for participating in the competition, you can earn OCC and Global Distinction credit. If you are an undergraduate student in the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, you can also earn Honors OCC credit for participating in the competition. Please note that students can earn either course credit or OCC, Global Distinction, and/or Honors OCC (if relevant) credit.
How does the competition work?
On October 27 at 11:59 p.m., each team will submit a 10-minute prerecorded video with their team giving PowerPoint presentation (with each team member participating). A committee of experts will review the videos and select the top four teams for the final round to present in front of a panel of judges, in person at the University of Pittsburgh Oakland campus on November 1st. Teams will be notified on October 30th if they have been selected to move on to the final round as one of the top four presentations. The four final teams, on November 1st, will give a 15-minute in-person presentation with 10 minutes of Q&A immediately after each presentation. All students participating in the case competition are invited to attend the final four presentation on November 1st.
How do I get my transportation costs reimbursed?
Students participating from other campuses outside Oakland can be reimbursed for transportation costs by completing this form https://forms.gle/aygHRCj5b7VGDtVDA
How do students benefit from the competition experience?
Students will gain valuable experience developing a comprehensive strategy and competing in a world-recognized format to address a global health challenge. Students gain experience learning how to effectively work as a productive team member, a much sought after competency. They also learn about project management tools and budgeting, about the specific health issue and its specific cultural and geographic context. Students gain access to faculty and leaders working in fields related to the case study.
How can I see presentations from previous teams/winners?
View the 2023 First Place and Second Place presentations on our YouTube channel.
Register now!
Register Here (Registration for Global Health Case Competition closed October 5, 2024.)