Public Health Ethics
Expert-defined terms from the Certificate in Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
A priori refers to knowledge or justification that is independent of experience,… #
Related terms include a posteriori, which refers to knowledge or justification that is dependent on experience.
Accountability is the state of being accountable, or answerable, for one's actio… #
Related terms include transparency, which refers to the openness and honesty of healthcare professionals and organizations in their decision-making and actions.
Advance care planning refers to the process of planning for future medical treat… #
Related terms include advance directive, which refers to a document that outlines an individual's wishes for future medical treatment.
Altruism is the practice of selflessness and concern for the welfare of others,… #
Related terms include beneficence, which refers to the principle of doing good and promoting the well-being of others.
Applied ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral… #
Related terms include theoretical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the development of moral theories and principles.
Autonomy is the state of being self #
governing and independent, and in public health ethics, it refers to the right of individuals to make decisions about their own healthcare and to have control over their own bodies. Related terms include paternalism, which refers to the practice of making decisions on behalf of others without their consent.
Beneficence is the principle of doing good and promoting the well #
being of others, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of prioritizing the needs of others, particularly in situations where resources are limited. Related terms include non-maleficence, which refers to the principle of doing no harm.
Bioethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral princ… #
Related terms include medical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine.
Capacity refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions for themselves… #
Related terms include competence, which refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions for themselves in a specific context.
Clinical ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral… #
Related terms include medical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine.
Community #
based care refers to the provision of healthcare services in community settings, such as homes, schools, and community centers, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of providing healthcare services that are accessible and responsive to the needs of local communities. Related terms include community-based practice, which refers to the provision of healthcare services in community settings.
Confidentiality is the state of being private and confidential, and in public… #
Related terms include privacy, which refers to the state of being private and confidential.
Consent refers to the process of obtaining permission from an individual to perf… #
Related terms include informed consent, which refers to the process of obtaining permission from an individual to perform a specific action after providing them with all relevant information.
Consequentialism is the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness… #
Related terms include utilitarianism, which refers to the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its utility or usefulness.
Decision #
making capacity refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions for themselves, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of respecting the autonomy of individuals and their right to make decisions about their own care. Related terms include competence, which refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions for themselves in a specific context.
Deontology is the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an… #
Related terms include consequentialism, which refers to the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences.
Dignity refers to the state of being worthy of respect and esteem, and in pub… #
Related terms include autonomy, which refers to the state of being self-governing and independent.
Disability refers to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits o… #
Related terms include handicap, which refers to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Disease refers to a condition that impairs the normal functioning of the body, a… #
Related terms include illness, which refers to a condition that impairs the normal functioning of the body.
Distributive justice refers to the principle of distributing resources fairly an… #
Related terms include social justice, which refers to the principle of promoting fairness and justice in society.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and dis… #
Related terms include public health, which refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention and promotion of health in populations.
Evidence #
based medicine is the practice of using the best available evidence to guide medical decision-making, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of using evidence to inform decisions about healthcare policy and resource allocation. Related terms include evidence-based practice, which refers to the practice of using the best available evidence to guide decision-making in healthcare.
Genetics refers to the study of heredity and variation, and in public hea… #
Related terms include genomics, which refers to the study of the structure, function, and evolution of genomes.
Global health refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention… #
Related terms include international health, which refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention and promotion of health in international populations.
Health disparities refer to the differences in health outcomes and healthcare ac… #
Related terms include health inequities, which refer to the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes and healthcare access that exist between different populations.
Health education refers to the process of educating individuals and communities… #
Related terms include health promotion, which refers to the process of promoting healthy behaviors and practices in individuals and communities.
Healthcare access refers to the ability of individuals to obtain healthcare serv… #
Related terms include healthcare utilization, which refers to the use of healthcare services by individuals and populations.
Healthcare policy refers to the plans and actions that guide the delivery of hea… #
Related terms include health policy, which refers to the plans and actions that guide the delivery of healthcare services.
Healthcare quality refers to the degree to which healthcare services meet the ne… #
Related terms include quality improvement, which refers to the process of improving the quality of healthcare services.
Human rights refer to the fundamental rights and freedoms that are inherent to a… #
Related terms include human dignity, which refers to the state of being worthy of respect and esteem.
Informed consent refers to the process of obtaining permission from an individua… #
Related terms include consent, which refers to the process of obtaining permission from an individual to perform a specific action.
Injury refers to a physical or mental harm that impairs the normal functioning o… #
Related terms include trauma, which refers to a physical or mental harm that impairs the normal functioning of the body.
International health refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prev… #
Related terms include global health, which refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention and promotion of health in global populations.
Justice refers to the principle of fairness and justice, and in public he… #
Related terms include distributive justice, which refers to the principle of distributing resources fairly and justly.
Mental health refers to the state of being mentally well, and in public h… #
Related terms include mental illness, which refers to a condition that impairs the normal functioning of the mind.
Moral principles refer to the fundamental principles that guide moral decision #
making, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of considering moral principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence, when making decisions about healthcare policy and resource allocation. Related terms include ethical principles, which refer to the fundamental principles that guide ethical decision-making.
Non #
maleficence is the principle of doing no harm, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of avoiding harm and promoting the well-being of others, particularly in situations where resources are limited. Related terms include beneficence, which refers to the principle of doing good and promoting the well-being of others.
Nursing ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral… #
Related terms include medical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine.
Occupational health refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the preve… #
Related terms include workplace health, which refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention and promotion of health in workplace settings.
Paternalism refers to the practice of making decisions on behalf of others witho… #
Related terms include autonomy, which refers to the state of being self-governing and independent.
Patient #
centered care refers to the provision of healthcare services that are focused on the needs and preferences of patients, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of providing healthcare services that are responsive to the needs of individuals, particularly in situations where they are vulnerable or dependent on others. Related terms include person-centered care, which refers to the provision of healthcare services that are focused on the needs and preferences of individuals.
Personal autonomy refers to the state of being self #
governing and independent, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of respecting the autonomy of individuals and their right to make decisions about their own care. Related terms include autonomy, which refers to the state of being self-governing and independent.
Pharmaceutical ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of… #
Related terms include medical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine.
Population health refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevent… #
Related terms include public health, which refers to the branch of healthcare that deals with the prevention and promotion of health in populations.
Prevention refers to the process of preventing disease or injury, and in publ… #
Related terms include health promotion, which refers to the process of promoting healthy behaviors and practices in individuals and communities.
Privacy refers to the state of being private and confidential, and in public<… #
Related terms include confidentiality, which refers to the state of being private and confidential.
Public health ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of… #
Related terms include bioethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine and the life sciences.
Public health policy refers to the plans and actions that guide the delivery of… #
Related terms include healthcare policy, which refers to the plans and actions that guide the delivery of healthcare services.
Quality of life refers to the degree to which an individual's life is fulfilling… #
Related terms include well-being, which refers to the state of being healthy and happy.
Research ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral… #
Related terms include medical ethics, which refers to the branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to issues in medicine.
Resource allocation refers to the process of allocating resources, such as money… #
Related terms include distributive justice, which refers to the principle of distributing resources fairly and justly.
Risk assessment refers to the process of identifying and evaluating potential ri… #
Related terms include risk management, which refers to the process of managing and mitigating risks.
Social determinants of health refer to the social and economic factors that infl… #
Related terms include health inequities, which refer to the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes and healthcare access that exist between different populations.
Social justice refers to the principle of promoting fairness and justice in soci… #
Related terms include distributive justice, which refers to the principle of distributing resources fairly and justly.
Telemedicine refers to the use of telecommunications technology to provide healt… #
Related terms include telehealth, which refers to the use of telecommunications technology to provide healthcare services remotely.
Torture refers to the act of inflicting severe physical or mental pain on an ind… #
Related terms include human rights, which refer to the fundamental rights and freedoms that are inherent to all human beings.
Transparency refers to the state of being open and honest, and in public … #
Related terms include accountability, which refers to the state of being answerable for one's actions.
Utilitarianism is the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of… #
Related terms include consequentialism, which refers to the moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences.
Vaccination refers to the process of administering a vaccine to an individual to… #
Related terms include immunization, which refers to the process of administering a vaccine to an individual to prevent disease.
Vulnerability refers to the state of being susceptible to harm or exploitation,… #
Related terms include autonomy, which refers to the state of being self-governing and independent.
Well #
being refers to the state of being healthy and happy, and in public health ethics, it is used to describe the importance of promoting the well-being of individuals, particularly in situations where they are vulnerable or dependent on others. Related terms include quality of life, which refers to the degree to which an individual's life is fulfilling and meaningful.
Xenotransplantation refers to the process of transplanting organs or tissues fro… #
Related terms include transplantation, which refers to the process of transplanting organs or tissues from one individual to another.
Yellow fever refers to a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosqui… #
Related terms include infectious disease, which refers to a disease caused by a pathogen that can be transmitted from one individual to another.
Zoonosis refers to a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and… #
Related terms include infectious disease, which refers to a disease caused by a pathogen that can be transmitted from one individual to another.