LECTURE 2 (Economic impact of public health)

Question 1

What are some negative implications of public health?

Answer 1

• Might cost jobs
• Add to the price of a product
• Require a tax increase
• Cut into a company’s profits

Question 2

Describe the problem with short-term cost and long-term benefit

Answer 2

Regulations that protect the health and safety of workers may require expensive protective equipment driving up the costs of goods produced by workers to consumers - The short-term cost might be seen to outweigh the long-term benefit

Question 3

Describe an example of “Risk against other risks”

Answer 3

There is concern about pesticide use on fruits and vegetables but if they were forbidden -> crops less abundant -> prices of produce might rise -> discourages some from eating nutritious goods -> Negative impact on health overall

Question 4

What are the factors that contribute to the general welfare?

Answer 4

Health & safety and Economic well-being

Question 5

What are the controversies to public health?

Answer 5

• Extent to which government can and should restrict individual freedom for the purpose of improving the community’s health
• Governmental restrictions on people’s freedom to harm themselves

Question 6

What is the Tragedy of the commons?

Answer 6

The overuse/pollution of a shared resource (e.g fish, timber, air) because an individual cares more about his or her own interests than the interest of the population as a whole

Question 7

What are the controversies regarding “protecting resources”?

Answer 7

• What to include among the protected resources
• How extensive the protective measures should be

Question 8

Why is government action required to protect the common resources?

Answer 8

Because no individual has the power to control the quality of their own personal environment independent of the behaviour of his neighbours

Question 9

What are examples of the most controversial public health measures?

Answer 9

• Seat belts + Helmets
• Restrictions on use of drugs
• Prohibition of alcohol

Question 10

What is Paternalism?

Answer 10

Restriction of people’s individual freedom with the aim of protecting their health and safety

Question 11

What is one form of paternalism that is generally accepted?

Answer 11

Children and young people can be restricted in their behaviour on the basis that they are not yet mature enough to make judgements about their own best interest

Question 12

What does the Libertarian view state?

Answer 12

• Acceptable to outlaw drunk driving but not drunkenness itself
• Smoking in indoor public places can be outlawed but smoking cannot be regulated

Question 13

Describe Public health as a social justice

Answer 13

Public health experts argument in favour of limiting individual liberty for the common good is consistent with their view of public health as a social justice