Articles Available to Purchase
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Slipping through the Net: Social Vulnerability in Pandemic Planning
Anna C. Mastroianni. (2009). Hastings Center Report, 39 (5), 11-12
Little attention has been given to the impact of social vulnerabilities on the effectiveness of public health preparedness strategies, a shortcoming in both policy-making and in how we think about the ethics of public health. How should we incorporate thinking about social vulnerability into pandemic planning? How should we account for social capacity to respond to directives designed to prevent the spread of disease? Whose responsibility is it to address those social barriers?
Swine Flu Vaccine: What Is Fair?
Lawrence O. Gostin. (2009). Hastings Center Report, 39 (5), 9- 10.
Listen to the People: Public Deliberation About Social Distancing Measures in a Pandemic
Nancy M. Baum, Peter D. Jacobson, Susan D. Goold. (2009). The American Journal of Bioethics, 9(11), 4-14.
Public engagement in ethically laden pandemic planning decisions may be important for transparency, creating public trust, improving compliance with public health orders, and ultimately, contributing to just outcomes. The authors report on focus groups conducted with members of the public to characterize public perceptions about social distancing measures likely to be implemented during a pandemic.
Pandemic Flu Planning in the Community: What Can Clinical Ethicists Bring to the Public Health Table?
Nancy Berlinger and Jacob Moses. (2008). Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 17, 468-470.
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry (June 2009), 6 (2)
Special Issue: Infectious Disease Ethics: Limiting Liberty in Contexts of Contagion
Planning for an Influenza Pandemic: Social Justice and Disadvantaged Groups
Uscher-Pines, L., Duggan, P. S., Garoon, J. P., Karron, R. A & Faden, R. R. (2007). Hastings Center Report, 37 (4), 32-39.
The authors argue that because an influenza pandemic would create the most serious hardships for those who already face most serious hardships, countries should take special measures to mitigate the effect of a pandemic on existing social inequalities. They believe that unfortunately, there is little evidence that anybody is thinking about that.
Ethics and Public Health Emergencies: Encouraging Responsibility
Wynia, M. K. (2007). The American Journal of Bioethics, 7(4), 1- 4.
This article outlines how examining the professional duty to treat and the legitimate questions it raises can provide insight into other actors' responsibilities. Public health ethics as well as professional ethics can help frame answers to some key questions: How strong are ethical responsibilities during crises? To whom do they apply? Should they be more explicit and hence more circumscribed or less explicit and hence largely aspirational? And how can public health policies encourage responsible actions?
Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Ethical Issues
Jaro Kotalik. (2005). Bioethics. 19(4), 422 - 431.
This article examines the ethical issues raised by pandemic plans in Canada, United States and the United Kingdom. It is also available in the book Ethics and Infectious Disease. (2006). M. Selgelid, M. P. Battin, C. Smith (Eds.) Oxford: Blackwell.
Can Mandatory Vaccination of Health Care Professionals During an Influenza Pandemic Ever be Justified?
Jaro Kotalik. (2006) In Ethics and Epidemics, Volume 9. J. Balint, S. Philpott, R. Baker, & M. Strosberg ( Eds.) Oxford: Elsevier, Oxford
Public Health Strategies for Pandemic Influenza: Ethics and the Law
Lawrence Gostin. (April 12, 2006). Journal of the American Medical Association. 295, 1700-1704.
This article discusses traditional public health interventions and how they are evaluated on the basis of public benefits and private rights. Although the use of multiple approaches may be considered the most effective, the author asserts that pandemic planners must take into account consequences for the economy and civil liberties.
Don't Be Chicken: Bioethics and Avian Flu
Zoloth, L. & Zoloth, S. (2006). American Journal of Bioethics. 6(1), 5- 8.
This article clarifies contrasting perspectives on pandemics: "feverish thinking" describes a moral panic at the expense of addressing current health care problems, and "fair warning" refers to a real pending disaster that can be better planned for. Ethical issues of surveillance, antiviral treatment and quarantine, resource allocation, and the personal duty of health care professionals are discussed.
The ethics of influenza vaccination
Silverstein, R.P, Frey, H.S, Galvani, A.P, Medlock, J., Chapman, G.B, Emanuel, E.J. & Wertheimer. (2006). Science. 313(5788), 758-760.
Ethics and Public Health Emergencies: Rationing Vaccines
Wynia, M. K. (2006, Nov- Dec.). American Journal of Bioethics, 6(6). 4 ? 7.
The author identifies three broad ethical issues related to public health: rationing, restrictions and responsibilities. Questions discussed include: What principles should guide rationing decisions? What data should inform priority setting and how can decisions be revised as new data emerge? Can rationing be avoided or minimized? What are the parameters of consideration in pandemic planning (i.e. extending the scope globally)? The role of international cooperation and the responsibility of the government are considered in addressing these issues.
Should RNs be Forced to Get the Flu Vaccine?
Olsen, D. P. (2006, October). American Journal of Nursing, 106(10), 76-79.
This article discusses the ethics of mandatory vaccination for RNs. It addresses the tension between autonomy and social responsibility, between nurses' responsibility to defend both their own health and the health of their patients.