Public Health Ethics

Public Health Ethics

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Ethics

• Principles and rules for behavior and duty

• Basic guide for deciding right and wrong

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Objectives

• Define your responsibilities in maintaining public trust.

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

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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.

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You are government….

• Responsibilities

• Authorities

• Burdens

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Public Trust

• Public service

• Respect and confidence of the public

• Loyalty to the law above private gain

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APHA Code of Ethics

• Adopted in 2002

• Balancing individual and public rights

• Guide for tough decisions

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

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The Tuskegee Experiment

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS

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What Would You Do?

Gifts

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What Would You Do?

Conflict of Interest

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Confidentiality

What Would You Do?

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What Would You Do?

PHCitizen

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What Would You Do?

Favors

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What Would You Do?

Research

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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.

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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.

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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?