Global Health Ethics Flashcards
What are the 6 considerations of quarantine and isolation ethics?
- Must be effective in controlling the disease.
- If less restrictive measures are as effective, use them.
- Consequences of not quarantining must be severe.
- Must be implemented in an equitable manner.
- Must be minimally burdensome.
- Those contained must receive some compensation.
Why are infectious diseases important in global health ethics?
Infectious diseases do not respect country borders, can have unrivalled consequences and control measures raise important questions like the violation of rights.
WHO CONSTITUTION 2006
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social condition.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UNITED NATIONS) 1948
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, necessary social services and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS 1976
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognise the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
UN CONVENTION ON RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 1990
States Parties recognise the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right to have access to such healthcare services.
Describe some of the ethical issues encountered during the medical response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
- Health and Inequalities - Should western healthcare workers working in affected countries be transferred to western healthcare? Who should receive limited experimental treatments?
- Quarantine/Isolation - Should heathcare workers returning from working in ebola treatment centres have to quarantine?
- Justice (access to medication) - Should we administer promising drugs and treatments although they have not yet been evaluated for safety and efficacy in humans?
According to Section 33 - Use of Placebo (of the Declaration of Helsinki), when are the only acceptable times to use it?
- No proven intervention exists
- where for compelling and scientifically sound methodological reasons, the use of any intervention less effective than the best proven or use of placebo is necessary to determine efficacy/safety of the treatment and that the patients will not come of serious harm as a result of not getting the best possible intervention available.
What is the primary task of medical personnel abroad volunteering for Red Cross/Crescent/Crystal?
To preserve health and life.
When carrying out research in developing countries, what is the difficulty with obtaining valid consent, community engagement and benefit to participants?
Finding a balance where the benefits don’t coerce the participant into joining, getting the community/leaders of family to trust and allow people to join.
