“Public Health Ethics”

Public health policies at the federal, state and local levels can have a tremendous impact on community and individual health, yet those policies often threaten individual autonomy or property interests. Different from medical ethics focused on individual patients, a code of public health ethics sets a framework for making decisions on policies that have a broad impact on the health of the population. Kathleen will reveal the emerging approach to such a code, looking at the issues public health professionals should consider before advocating for or implementing public health policy, including evaluating the evidence base, identifying potential burdens, seeking to minimize the harms, and enhancing the health of the disadvantaged.

Professor Kathleen Hoke is the director of the Network for Public Health Law (NPHL). She is also the Director of the Center for Tobacco Regulation at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. The Network for Public Health Law provides technical legal assistance to national, state and local public health professionals, their attorneys, legislators, and advocates working to develop sound public policy to improve public health.