Ethics guidelines for environmental epidemiologists: 2023 revision.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Epidemiology
• Public Health Ethics

Background:

• Ethical considerations are crucial in environmental epidemiology.
• The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) first established Ethics Guidelines in 1996.
• These guidelines were adopted in 1999 and have undergone revisions in 2012 and 2023.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update the Ethics Guidelines for environmental epidemiology.
• To ensure continued relevance to contemporary issues in the field.
• To uphold high standards of transparency and accountability.

Main Methods:

• The 2023 revision involved a review and update of existing ethical standards.
• The guidelines are structured into four key areas of professional conduct.
• Focus on obligations to research participants, society, funders/employers, and colleagues.

Main Results:

• The updated guidelines provide normative standards for professional conduct.
• The revision addresses the evolving landscape of environmental epidemiology.
• Ensures ethical practice in research and public health.

Conclusions:

• The 2023 Ethics Guidelines reinforce the ISEE's commitment to ethical research.
• These standards promote responsible environmental epidemiology.
• Upholding ethical principles is vital for public trust and scientific integrity.