Introduction
Providing the conditions necessary to safeguard and advance the general population’s health is one of the roles of public health. Various social, economic, and environmental factors are included in these situations, all essential for improved health. It lends credence to the idea that collective entities, such as communities and governments, are responsible for the well-being of health-conscious individuals. The political class needs a more robust understanding of public health, which was covered in the course about healthcare transformation. Even though efforts to provide access to improved health care continue to be an essential component of improving the health of the general people, these efforts demonstrate a relatively limited responsibility in comparison to broader efforts to guarantee fair access to environments conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Resurgent and emerging infectious diseases, such as the Zika virus, antimicrobial resistance, declining vaccination rates, and the threat of bioterrorism, such as that posed by smallpox and anthrax, are all factors that put communities under pressure. Public health ethics and laws are developed at the same time in order to address the growing issues of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory sickness. These diseases are increasingly becoming more prevalent. The decisions to handle these difficulties are met with political opposition from persons who would prefer a contracted option for the public health law. Therefore, this essay will analyze and identify the case study that presents the conflict between healthcare ethics, public health, and existing legal statutes.
Summary of the selected case
The case study describes the epidemic during the wintertime of the influenza pandemic throughout the year. The chosen scenario illustrates how the influenza vaccine could be used to prevent the spread of influenza disease throughout the United States of America, which was the location of the study. In addition, the case illustrates the economic implications that the situation has had on the populace and the nation as a whole. Consequently, the case study demonstrates that an individual who is 65 years old will be impacted by influenza, whereas a youngster under two years old will be affected by influenza. As an additional point of interest, the chosen instance demonstrates that the economic and health repercussions of pandemics and epidemics depend on the genetic variation of influenza infections and the proportion of vulnerable persons present in the community.
In addition, the case study demonstrates that those who have been in the workforce for six months or longer are recommended since this protects the most vulnerable persons from being affected during the winter season. Additionally, the case study demonstrates that vaccination against influenza can reduce the risk of influenza and complications connected with influenza, hospitalization, visits to physicians, and even death in those who are at high risk and who are otherwise healthy.
Reason For the Selection and How It Meets the Criteria
Considering that the health issues have affected many individuals throughout the winter season, the case study selection is appropriate for the case. The economic conditions of the United States of America have been impacted as a consequence of the sickness (American Medical Association, 2017). As an additional point of interest, influenza has impacted many elderly and young people in the community. Considering that the number of people who are afflicted has been growing annually, a vaccine must be developed that will assist in lowering the dangers to both the health of those who are affected and the health of the general population. Influenza vaccinations are the basis of public health response and preparation activities against seasonal and potentially epidemic influenza illnesses. The case study is significant because of the restrictions and problems associated with the requirement to manufacture and update influenza vaccines. According to Barrett (2016), the study case will be of assistance in the process of supporting the vaccine-virus variety procedure. This procedure requires the continuation of creative endeavors to advance the representativeness and timeliness of influenza diseases shared by nations during the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) (American Medical Association, 2017). Last but not least, the case study will assist in lowering the fatalities that occur regularly in various regions of Europe and the United States.
The ethical dilemma
Laws about public health frequently incorporate a perspective about private interests and public goods. When professionals in the field of public health take action, they frequently come across conflicts between the collective interest of individual health on the one hand and the personal and economic rewards or advantages on the other (Gostin & Wiley, 2016). Laws about public health are enacted to highlight potential health hazards and intervene to mitigate or rectify the impacts on the general population (Cohen et al., 2017). Similarly, authorities in charge of public health may violate fundamental civil rights such as the right to privacy and physical integrity, as well as the ability to associate with others, move freely, practice one’s religion, and express oneself.
While it is true that there are tensions between the benefits of the group and those of the individual, there are also opportunities for collaboration. The rights may improve population health. For instance, antidiscrimination and privacy safeguards for a community accused of having illnesses could motivate community members to seek counseling, testing, and treatment (Cohen et al., 2017). When public health initiatives are debated to protect civil rights and liberties, they benefit from the collaboration and trust of society as a whole and, more specifically, those at risk.
Background research
The development of a scientific basis for the preparedness of public health continues to be an essential component in preventing influenza infections and other illnesses. Finding solutions to health problems through research is critical to public health on a global scale since it leads to innovations and insights that may be implemented. For example, research continues to be one of the most essential assets for public health in the United States. One way in which the difficulties that diseases bring about in a society might be mitigated in a particular group is through research (Callahan & Jennings, 2002). For example, during the winter months in the United States, a significant number of people have been impacted by influenza. The space that allows for applying a scientific foundation for action has a crucial role in reducing the number of deaths and the number of persons impacted. Public health seeks the necessary information to implement real-time programs and policies to promote and protect health.
Proposal
Numerous professional departments, groups, and specializations make up healthcare organizations. These departments and groups collaborate in a manner that is nonlinear and sophisticated. It is typically the case that such organizations have difficulties that other organizations cannot match in terms of limits that link to varied multidirectional illness areas, goals, and interdisciplinary staff teams (Callahan & Jennings, 2002). The groups that belong to related subcultures may cooperate with one another or be at odds with one another within large enterprises such as healthcare organizations. Taking advantage of the diversity within the group and making effective use of the resources available to develop management procedures while simultaneously motivating employees to strive toward common objectives is an essential component of leadership. Leadership styles could be adapted to the health context to improve the organization’s performance in this highly complicated environment.
To bring about change, the experts must come into contact with the model, and it is also necessary to be persistent despite the norms and habits of behaviors that have been demonstrated to be effective. To bring about transformation, the administrator must demonstrate commitment and devote some time to the process. To respond to every request for change, the director ought to be aware of the significance of substantiating and emphasizing moving those in contradiction with one another. According to the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics and the World Health Organization (2015), it is essential for them to have a clear understanding of what constitutes substantial and to improve both those replies and the proactive activities carried out. The implementation of suitable procedures will not be successful in organizations that employ a large number of specialists if they become unduly bureaucratic. A group cannot derive the total value from its specialized workers if it insists that these individuals carry out the specified responsibilities. Consequently, leaders are required to learn how to bring about change to advance with achievement.
Politicians need to have an understanding of the process of transformation as well as the issues that are associated with a shift to be able to manage and lead change as well as develop efforts effectively. During the process of transformation, which involves several different aspects, they should acquire the ability to overcome challenges and deal with the confusion that naturally arises. Leaders are responsible for assisting in forming influential groups and structures for staff and other investors (Mays et al., 2006). This can be accomplished by developing new organizational structures and producing a shared vision that emphasizes the genuine output of workers. In public health, having informed and inspired management is one of the most crucial factors.
Developing a distinct mental image of the progression of the transformation process is yet another essential component that must be addressed to ensure that the change will be effective. Monitoring and measuring the outcomes of the transformation process is necessary to acknowledge the transformation process of laws and ethics accomplished by purposes (Pozgar et al., 2016). Because businesses are constantly undergoing change and other modifications related to change are also taking place, it is essential for those participating in the change procedure to concentrate on and keep a record of the difficulties that are developing as a result of change. Consequently, this will assist in avoiding them in the days to come, allowing the new administration organization to assist in achieving the transformation in the most effective and appropriate method.
Description of proposal
People hold various things in high regard, such as companions, relatives, assets, tangible possessions, knowledge, and artistic creations. Individuals often highly respect moral characteristics, such as honesty and courage. Additionally, ethical values like equality and justice are also valued by some. Individuals prioritize what they consider essential, meaningful, and significant (Barrett, 2016). The core principles of public health, rooted in science, health, and community, are reflected in its primary commitments and objectives. While acknowledging the importance of health, public health focuses on the scientific approach and the public’s well-being. Its primary goals are to prevent injury and disease, protect the community from harm, and promote overall health and well-being. However, it is necessary to provide a descriptive explanation of how community and science embody values.
The perceived importance of science as a value is only evident when compared to persons who doubt science and prioritize other value commitments, such as religion and economic interests. Public health ethics aim to utilize scientific research and evidence-based practices to inform policies and actions. This endeavor requires a dedication to conducting research and surveillance, as only by understanding the societal impact of illness and its fundamental or hidden causes can public health effectively influence the well-being of the entire population (Mays et al., 2006). The term “greatest available” reminds us to continuously improve our techniques and not rely solely on current or traditional methods. Additionally, it highlights that limited resources and time constraints hinder the ability to collect evidence in times of crisis.
Public health encompasses society in two distinct aspects. Firstly, it recognizes that attaining optimal health solutions depends on a society’s willingness to accept, participate in, or cooperate with them. Secondly, it acknowledges that to achieve a successful outcome, public health must prioritize the community’s ethical values and serve its members’ aspirations. However, an additional aspect is the more profound sense in which the community serves as a prime example of a particular ideal. Society can be defined as a statistical abstraction encompassing all individuals while representing a network of emotional and relational connections between individuals who participate in a shared and organized life within a political framework (Barrett, 2016). The most accurate representation of the relational and fundamental nature of social practice is unity. Unity, albeit unexpressed, remains potent as it establishes the basis of social existence and collaborative endeavors. Personal advantages may serve as a source of motivation for individuals. However, recognizing a shared problem that affects everyone drives collective decision-making in public health and society to address common challenges (Pozgar et al., 2016). The concept of public health emphasizing community underscores the importance of ethical cohesiveness, even when unity is not acknowledged.
Conflict
Medical guarantees are universally considered invaluable and revered. One of the primary duties of a specialist is to ensure the strict confidentiality and secrecy of the patient’s personal medical information, especially when it pertains to sensitive details. Undoubtedly, the patient should be provided with crucial and ultimate consideration. However, the practitioner’s responsibilities extend beyond the sick individual to include society’s overall well-being (Pozgar et al., 2016). Thus, it is widely acknowledged that under certain circumstances, the practitioner assumes a dual role in the subject matter of their profession. The interests and rights of individuals must be carefully weighed against the interests and responsibilities of the nation, which is entrusted with ensuring the safety and well-being of its people. These allegiances give rise to two significantly different responsibilities. Individuals have a legal and ethical responsibility to the community and specific patients and their moral obligation to themselves (Mays et al., 2006). There are various situations where a practitioner must decide when to voluntarily reveal their clients’ medical information as part of their public duty and when to actively safeguard their confidentiality by using methods such as observation, communication, and careful consideration in their professional role.
Proposed legislation
- Esteem patients by respecting their confidentiality, maintaining privacy, and being honest about their health care.
- Provide the opportunity and information for clients to make individual health decisions.
- Respect and honor patients’ decisions concerning their option to decline or accept care.
- patients must be given the right to reject or accept the information
- Perform in the best benefit of the client and promote for the patient.
- Treat patients equitably and fairly.
- Any health care with an emergency section is supposed to check for emergency health circumstances if demanded, and when such a situation occurs, provide medication till that illness is calmed.
Barriers
The barriers involve preventing conflicts of interest where nurses and doctors are the primary targets of pharmaceutical advertisements. An additional concern involves the delicate equilibrium between maximizing profit and fulfilling the needs of patients while also providing charitable healthcare services (Hammaker et al., 2017). There needs to be a hurdle in dealing with the issue of providing alternative therapy for VIP pharmaceutical recipients, such as donors and other influential individuals. Ultimately, the task at hand is addressing the ethical anguish experienced by nurses within a healthcare establishment.
Conclusion
The essay has examined the tension between healthcare ethics, public health, and existing legal regulations. Furthermore, the assessment has emphasized morally acceptable approaches to resolving the inequality in the healthcare system. In the same context, the review has discussed the obstacles and the proposed laws that could determine the conflict between specialized health regulations and health ethics.
References
American Medical Association. (2017). Code of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association. WorldCat.org. https://worldcat.org/title/code-of-medical-ethics-of-the-american-medical-association/oclc/1033585045
Barrett, D. H. (2016). Public health ethics: Cases spanning the globe. Springer.
Callahan, D., & Jennings, B. (2002). Ethics and public health: Forging a strong relationship. American Journal of Public Health, 92(2), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.2.169
Cohen, I. G., Hoffman, A. K., & Sage, W. M. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Health Law. https://www.worldcat.org/title/oxford-handbook-of-us-health-law/oclc/1004426490
Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics, & World Health Organization, (2015). Global health ethics: Key issues. https://www.worldcat.org/title/global-health-ethics-key-issues/oclc/919563905
Gostin, L. O., & Wiley, L. F. (2016). Public health law: Power, duty, restraint. University of California Press.
Hammaker, D. K., Knadig, T. M., & Tomlinson, S. J. (2017). Health care ethics and the law. https://www.worldcat.org/title/health-care-ethics-and-the-law/oclc/919252823
Mays, G. P., McHugh, M. C., Shim, K., Perry, N., Lenaway, D., Halverson, P. K., & Moonesinghe, R. (2006). Institutional and economic determinants of Public Health System Performance. American Journal of Public Health, 96(3), 523–531. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2005.064253
Pozgar, G. D., Santucci, N. M., & Pinnella, J. W. (2016). Legal and ethical issues for Health Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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