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?
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