Public Health Ethics

2 of 18

Ethics

• Principles and rules for behavior and duty

• Basic guide for deciding right and wrong

3 of 18

Objectives

• Define your responsibilities in maintaining public trust.

• Identify strategies for handling problematic situations in an ethical and professional way.

4 of 18

Why Does the Public NOTTrust Government?

In the next 3-5 minutes:

Break into small groups or find a partner.Brainstorm and record a list of reasons why the public may not trust government.Share with class.

5 of 18

You are government….

• Responsibilities

• Authorities

• Burdens

6 of 18

Public Trust

• Public service

• Respect and confidence of the public

• Loyalty to the law above private gain

7 of 18

APHA Code of Ethics

• Adopted in 2002

• Balancing individual and public rights

• Guide for tough decisions

http://www.apha.org/codeofethics/

8 of 18

The Tuskegee Experiment

9 of 18

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS

10 of 18

What Would You Do?

Gifts

11 of 18

What Would You Do?

Conflict of Interest

12 of 18

Confidentiality

What Would You Do?

13 of 18

What Would You Do?

PHCitizen

14 of 18

What Would You Do?

Favors

15 of 18

What Would You Do?

Research

16 of 18

Why follow ethical standards?

• Avoid criminal or administrative penalties

• Protect the reputation of your agency

• Protect your own personal and professional reputation

Ethical behavior is seldom rewarded, but unethical behavior is rarely ignored.

17 of 18

What are ethical conflicts you may potentially face in your position?

In the next 3 minutes:

Write down 1-3 examples of potential ethical conflicts that you foresee or have already experienced in public health.

18 of 18

Finally, ask yourself the following questions:

Is it ethical?

Is it legal?

How would I feel if my family, friends, or co-workers were to read of my actions in tomorrow’s newspaper?