Building blocks for a public health ethics framework for the geriatric community

Area of Science:

• Public Health Ethics
• Geriatric Care
• Social Justice

Background:

• South Africa faces a growing elderly population with limited strategic planning for their vulnerability.
• This demographic shift presents significant public health ethical challenges requiring urgent attention.
• Existing policies inadequately address the specific needs and ethical considerations of the geriatric community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a public health ethics framework tailored for the geriatric community in South Africa.
• To review and address the ethical implications inherent in providing care to the elderly.
• To establish guidance for ethical decision-making in geriatric public health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Q-methodology for data collection and analysis.
• Employed a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire for ranking 15 key statements.
• Collected data from 22 participants across six geriatric institutions.

Main Results:

• Data confirmed a critical need for a dedicated public health ethics framework for geriatric care.
• The framework must be application-based and practice-oriented to guide decision-making.
• Consideration of healthcare practitioner and geriatric community vulnerability is essential for promoting justice.

Conclusions:

• Identified eight core building blocks for the proposed public health ethics framework, integrating professional and care ethics.
• The framework aims to enhance social justice within public health programs for the elderly.
• It provides a structure to evaluate ethical implications of policies, programs, and interventions targeting the geriatric population.