Board on Global Health – Institute of Medicine - The National Academies Press, 2007
Health Ethics & Governance
We provide a focal point for the examination of ethical issues raised by activities throughout the Organization and foster discussion and debate on diverse topics in global health ethics.
Ethical issues in pandemic influenza planning
A number of challenging ethical issues are raised by a potential influenza pandemic. Ethical concerns associated with the planning, preparedness and responses to future pandemics are important to consider, ensuring that response efforts are not hindered in the event of a pandemic.
These include:
- priority of access to healthcare resources with increased demand and possible shortages;
- obligations of healthcare workers in light of risks to their own health; and
- the fine balance between reducing disease spread through isolation and travel measures whilst protecting the right of individuals to freedom of movement.
Publications
29 September 2010
Research ethics in international epidemic response
Report of a meeting which provided additional guidance on the ethical issues associated with pandemic influenza preparedness and response.
Discussion of the ethical issues to be addressed in developing and implementing a public health response to pandemic influenza. The purpose of the report...
Additional resources
Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments
"Getting through together: Ethical values for a pandemic" considers ethical issues in a pandemic.
"Ethical Guidelines in Pandemic Influenza" provides guidance that the Ethics Subcommittee proposes to serve as a foundation for ethical decision-making during a pandemic influenza.
"Stand on guard for thee" is a report on ethical considerations in preparedness and planning for pandemic influenza by the University of Toronto’s Joint Centre for Bioethics.
A report of the Public Engagement Pilot Project on Pandemic Influenza, which describes the convening of a representative group of stakeholders and citizens-at-large, the structure and process of stakeholder and citizen dialogues and deliberations, and the decisions made and recommendations.
Opinion n°106 - Ethical issues raised by a possible influenza pandemic