Public Health Ethics

Graduate

This inter-professional, case-based course is designed to give students an overview of principles and frameworks in public health ethics, knowledge of existing public health ethics codes, and an understanding of how a population-level conception of health shifts ethical focus from individuals to communities and systems. Through readings, case-analysis and small group discussions, students will use ethical frameworks to analyze contemporary ethical public health challenges, including governance of new technologies (biobanking, environmental gene editing, e.g.) and big data both in the United States and globally. Cross cutting themes will include examining the root causes of variations in health outcomes on a population level, protection of human subjects in public health research, ethics of community engagement and health communications; the role of governments and limits of autonomy. The course will emphasize knowledge of how and why public health ethical decision making has evolved, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving through the application of ethical frameworks. 0.50 Dartmouth units; (CT, NC) Required for Online and Hybrid MPH Offered: Spring 2nd Year