Reference no: EM133830169

Homework: Writing

Course Description: This course is a general introduction to "population-level bioethics": the study of bioethical questions arising at the population and global levels. The course relays some of the central dilemmas of contemporary public health practice and research, such as equitable health resource distribution, health disparities, paternalism and "nudging", and the ethics of health systems research. The course is structured around an ethical approach called "utilitarianism". For each dilemma it asks WWUD, namely, what would a utilitarian do, and whether that application of utilitarianism seems reasonable. The course also touches on other approaches to public health ethics. Student evaluation will be based on participation in moderated discussions, case presentations, quizzes, and written homework, including a paper.

Selected Concentration Competencies Addressed: The competencies addressed in this course for the MPH in Health Systems and Policy include:

1) Analyze public health policies and practices recognizing legal and ethical implications for individuals and populations; and
2) Assess the role of social, cultural, political, legal, or economic factors in shaping healthcare delivery systems or public health policy.

Visit the Concentration webpages on the School of Public Health's website for other additional competencies and addressed by this course for other degrees and concentrations.

Course Objectives: By the completion of this course, students will be able to:

I. Understand the difference between clinical bioethics and population-level bioethics;

II. Describe key controversies in contemporary population-level bioethics, including the measurement of inequality and disease burden, principles and criteria for priority setting in public health, personal responsibility for health, paternalistic public health policy, and controversies around human resources for health policy.

III. Explain the main positions on these controversies, for example, how utilitarianism and some egalitarian (that is, pro-equality) theories bear on health resource allocation; Get the instant assignment help.

IV. Identify ethical controversies raised by concrete public health policies you encounter, including ones that were not discussed in class; and

V. Form ethical arguments for and against given public health policies, and critically assess existing arguments.

The term paper should be no longer than 1400 words long. Instructions will be given as we progress.

Instruction for only the first draft of the paper: Term paper draft (max 700 words)

Make sure you narrow down to a specific moral question that is population-level bioethics (not clinical-level which is merely between doctor & patient). You can consider a particular issue (e.g. Should we give prioritize certain ages for healthcare resources?), or you can look at specific case studies (such as regarding a particular drug or healthy policy in a specific context), or you can do both together as we often do.

Make the question is narrow and specific. Be clear on who has the moral obligation or responsibilty (Public health authorities of a certain country? Drug companies? A particular hospital or healthcare organization?).