This course introduces students to the ethical principles, theories and dilemmas that arise in health education, health promotion and public health practice.
Unlike traditional medical ethics, which largely focuses on the relationship between individual health professionals and patients, public health ethics considers decisions affecting communities and whole populations. Students will examine how values, culture, human rights, social justice and equity influence decisions about what is right, acceptable and fair in public health.
Through ethical theories, principles and practical public health cases, students will explore issues including environmental ethics, health as a human right, resource allocation, professional ethics, research ethics, privacy and confidentiality, access to medicines, palliative care and contemporary bioethical dilemmas. The course aims to equip students to recognise ethical issues, critically analyse competing interests and propose and justify ethically appropriate decisions in professional practice.
- Teacher: Banegura Anchilla Mary