7 principles of public health ethics Flashcards
Non-Malfeasance
Definition: Do no harm; avoid causing unnecessary harm or injury.
Application: Ensuring public health policies do not harm individuals or groups.
Key Words: “Avoid harm,” “prevent injury,” “safety,” “risk reduction.”
Beneficence
Definition: Act to promote the well-being and health of others.
Application: Implementing programs that benefit public health, like vaccination drives.
Key Words: “Promote well-being,” “doing good,” “improving health,” “positive outcomes.”
Health Maximization
Definition: Achieve the greatest overall health improvement for the population.
Application: Prioritizing resources that help the most people, like widespread health screenings.
Key Words: “Greatest good for the greatest number,” “maximize health outcomes,” “population health.”
Efficiency
Definition: Use resources in a way that achieves the most health benefits with the least waste.
Application: Allocating funds to cost-effective health interventions.
Key Words: “Cost-effective,” “optimal use of resources,” “minimize waste,” “best results with least effort.”
Justice
Definition: Fair distribution of health resources and ensuring equity in public health.
Application: Providing equal access to healthcare services for marginalized groups.
Key Words: “Fairness,” “equity,” “equal access,” “reducing disparities.”
Autonomy
Definition: Respecting individuals’ rights to make their own health decisions.
Application: Informed consent for medical procedures or public health interventions.
Key Words: “Personal choice,” “informed consent,” “right to decide,” “individual freedom.”
Proportionality
Definition: Balancing benefits and risks, ensuring interventions are justified.
Application: Justifying restrictions like lockdowns if the benefits outweigh the harms.
Key Words: “Balancing benefits and harms,” “reasonable measures,” “justified actions,” “appropriate response.”
