Public Health Ethics PDF

Public Health Ethics Ahmad Y. Alqassim MBBS, MSPH, PhD, MEHP candidate Associate Professor, Consultant and Chairman Family and Community Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine Introduction Public health ethics focuses on moral differing from c...

Public Health Ethics Ahmad Y. Alqassim MBBS, MSPH, PhD, MEHP candidate Associate Professor, Consultant and Chairman Family and Community Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine Introduction Public health ethics focuses on moral differing from clinical ethics by focusing issues in public health on populations rather than individuals. Key Principles of Public Health Ethics Respect for Autonomy: Emphasizes the right of individuals to control their own health decisions. Non-Maleficence: Requires healthcare providers to do no harm. Beneficence: Compels healthcare providers to promote health and well-being. Justice: Ensures fair distribution of healthcare benefits and burdens. Balancing Individual Rights and Public Health An ongoing challenge is balancing For example, during a pandemic, Case studies, like the management of individual rights and public health governments may impose quarantines the COVID-19 pandemic, can provide interests. or mandatory mask mandates, which insights into how these balances are might seem to infringe on individual struck in real-life scenarios. liberties. However, these measures are intended to protect the health of the community.  Ethical Decision-Making in Public Health Decision-making frameworks include the precautionary principle (burden of proof falls on those advocating for potentially harmful actions or policies) and the harm principle (societies can enforce norms to prevent harm to others). Role of Ethics in Health Policy-Making Policymakers must weigh different ethical principles For instance, when deciding whether to implement when deciding on resource allocation and a new vaccination program, policymakers must implementing new health policies. consider potential benefits to the community (beneficence) against potential harms (non- maleficence), fairness in distribution (justice), and respect for individual choice (autonomy).  Ethical Dilemmas in Public Health Ethical dilemmas are common in public health. Ex: Mandatory vaccinations can promote community health but may conflict with respect for individual autonomy. Ex: Quarantine enforcement can prevent disease transmission but may infringe on personal freedoms. These dilemmas require careful consideration and balancing of the various ethical principles. Informed Consent in Public Health Informed consent is vital but plays a The concept of community consent, where different role in public health, which often community leaders or representatives give targets communities rather than individuals. consent on behalf of the community, is sometimes used.  Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health Ethical considerations in health disparities and social determinants of health include questions of justice, equity, and societal responsibilities for health. Health disparities, such as higher rates of certain diseases in specific populations, raise questions of justice and equity. Social determinants of health, like poverty or education, raise questions about societal responsibilities for health  Applying Ethical Principles to Case Studies Applying principles to case studies, like disease outbreak management or new health policy implementation, can illustrate these concepts and deepen understanding. Role of Ethics Committees and Review Boards Ethics committees and Institutional They review proposed studies for ethical Review Boards (IRBs) oversee ethical standards and provide guidance on compliance in public health practice and ethical issues. research. THANK YOU