Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Looking ahead: addressing ethical challenges in public health practice
Nancy M Baum1, Sarah E Gollust, Susan D Goold
1Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, USA.
Summary
Public health leaders face ethical challenges impacting community health. A new framework guides decision-makers through six considerations to manage ethical tensions and improve public health practice.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Ethics
- Health Policy Analysis
- Decision-Making Frameworks
Background:
- Ethical dilemmas in public health can hinder effective community health strategies.
- Conflicting resource needs and diverse values complicate fair and effective decision-making for policymakers and practitioners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an analytic framework to help public health policymakers and practitioners manage ethical tensions.
- To provide a structured guide for identifying and assessing moral considerations in public health practice.
Main Methods:
- The framework is based on six key considerations for ethical decision-making.
- Considerations include population-level utility, evidence of need and effectiveness, fairness, accountability, efficiencies, and costs.
Main Results:
- The proposed framework offers a structured approach to navigating ethical challenges in public health.
- It aims to assist decision-makers in identifying potential ethical issues and underlying moral considerations.
- The framework may help reduce the creation of ethical tension under specific conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework provides a systematic method for addressing ethical challenges in public health.
- Further testing and evaluation by public health practitioners are needed to validate the framework's effectiveness.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ethical Dilemmas I
Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
01:30Ethical Dilemmas II
Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:25Ethical Standards I
The American Nurses Association (ANA) created and implemented the first nationally accepted Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. The Code of Ethics is a living document regularly updated by the ANA and establishes an ethical standard that is non-negotiable for nurses in all roles and settings.
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
01:22Ethics and Bioethics
Ethics is a philosophical study of moral actions. Ethics attempts to determine what is valuable for individuals and society. It examines the rational justification of moral judgments and analyzes what is morally just, fair, and right. Bioethics is a sub-discipline of applied ethics that analyzes the philosophical, social, and legal issues in life sciences and medicine. Ethical theories serve as a foundation for decision-making and represent the viewpoints from which people seek direction. They...
01:29Nursing Code of Ethics
The Nursing Code of Ethics sets the ethical benchmark for the profession, and guides nurses in ethical analysis and decision making at the societal, organizational, and clinical levels. The code encompasses showing compassion and respect for the patient, their families, and communities in all circumstances while committing to providing patient-centered care. In addition, the code states that nurses must advocate for the patient by defending a cause or recommendation to protect their rights,...