Ethics Guidance for the Public Health Containment

Transcript:Ethics Guidance for the Public Health Containment:
Ethics Guidance for the Public Health Containment of Serious Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Low Income Settings: Lessons from Ebola Based on the document by The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics (Add date & name of presenter here) Organization of presentation Introduction: What do we mean by an ethically optimal response? How do we incorporate ethics into response activities? Preparing for and Initiating Public Health Response Activities with Local Communities Interacting with Local Communities During Public Health Containment Outbreak Communication and Messaging Special Considerations for Isolation, Quarantine and Social Distancing Supporting and Protecting Outbreak Responders Providing Care during Outbreaks Supporting Survivors Outbreak Recovery 2 Introduction: Ethically optimal public health response The goal of a public health response to a serious infectious disease outbreak is to prevent disease transmission and minimize illness and death, guided throughout by commitments to support local ownership of the response, and to treat individuals and communities with respect, fairness, and compassion. Community buy-in and community collaboration are critical to an effective and ethically optimal response. 3 Respect: all actions reflect recognition of the inherent and equal moral worth of all individuals. Value on honesty, transparency, self-determination, and recognition of norms and culture. Justice: programs are implemented fairly; benefits and burdens are distributed equitably. Promoting good & preventing harm: applies to both individuals and communities. Show compassion, dis-allow stigma, safeguard well-being of those who are socially or financially disadvantaged. 4 Introduction: Guiding Ethics Principles Please note: This presentation contains several recommendations to help assure an ethically optimal response. It is understood that lack of adequate resources often precludes full implementation of all these measures, even when they feel urgent, necessary and right. Doing what one can, in the spirit of these recommendations, may also be helpful, for example, in continuing to be respectful even when resources or staffing are inadequate. Scarcity of resources will greatly increase the challenges in responding. But scarcity does not justify acting at the cost of ethics considerations. 5 Learn what you can about prevailing culture, norms, attitudes and traditions ahead of implementation. Collaborate with local, national, and foreign leaders to identify if, which, and how containment strategies are needed. Enter into communities demonstrating respect. Identify and take steps to include and protect populations at heightened risk, and do so equitably. Continually identify and synthesize best available evidence. 6 1. Preparing for and Initiating Public Health Response Activities with Local Communities 7 1.