Ethics of infectious disease control

M. J. Selgelid

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2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ethical issues in infectious disease control arise when the public health measures required to maximally promote public health conflict with basic human rights and liberties. Because neither the promotion of the greater good in the way of public health nor the protection of individuals should always be given absolute priority over the other, trade-offs must be made between the two. These issues are explored through examination of controversy surrounding informed consent, mandatory vaccination and treatment, third-party notification, and quarantine. Infectious diseases also raise issues of social justice insofar as they disproportionately affect the poor. © 2008

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Encyclopedia of Public Health
PublisherAcademic Press
Pages486-493
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9780123739605
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Confidentiality
  • Ethics
  • Freedom
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Human experimentation
  • Human rights
  • Infectious disease
  • Informed consent
  • Justice
  • Liberty
  • Mandatory treatment
  • Mandatory vaccination
  • Moral conflict
  • Quarantine
  • Smallpox
  • Third-party notification
  • Tuberculosis

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