Transcript Public Health Ethics

Public Health Ethics
Ethics
• Principles and rules for behavior and duty
• Basic guide for deciding right and wrong
2 of 18
Objectives
• Define your responsibilities in maintaining
public trust.
• Identify strategies for handling problematic
situations in an ethical and professional way.
3 of 18
Why Does the Public NOT
Trust 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.
4 of 18
You are government….
• Responsibilities
• Authorities
• Burdens
5 of 18
Public Trust
• Public service
• Respect and confidence of the public
• Loyalty to the law above private gain
6 of 18
APHA Code of Ethics
• Adopted in 2002
• Balancing individual and public rights
• Guide for tough decisions
http://www.apha.org/codeofethics/
7 of 18
The Tuskegee Experiment
8 of 18
Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome, SARS
9 of 18
What Would You Do?
Gifts
10 of 18
What Would You Do?
Conflict of
Interest
11 of 18
What Would You Do?
Confidentiality
12 of 18
What Would You Do?
PH
Citizen
13 of 18
What Would You Do?
Favors
14 of 18
What Would You Do?
Research
15 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.
16 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.
17 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?
18 of 18