Abstract
In this chapter we explore the ethical issues around settisng disaster research priorities. We use the term ‘disaster’ to refer to any natural or man-made health event of significant proportion; and disaster research relates to either relevant health research undertaken in the context (or aftermath) of a disaster, or research done about disasters and health but not directly in the context of a disaster occurring.
We describe three broad existing approaches to—or ways to frame—setting disaster research priorities and explore each critically, examining advantages and disadvantages. First we look at ethical issues around priority setting in the healthcare context, and see if any aspects of this well-examined area could be helpful to the disaster research context. Next we consider the research priorities developed by organisations involved in disaster response. And third we assess one particular strategic approach to disaster risk management, stemming from the Hyogo Framework for Action, which focuses on information and knowledge needs for policy makers and field practitioners. Finally, we draw conclusions and make some recommendations for the future.
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Murray, V., Kessel, A. (2014). Setting Disaster Research Priorities. In: O’Mathúna, D., Gordijn, B., Clarke, M. (eds) Disaster Bioethics: Normative Issues When Nothing is Normal. Public Health Ethics Analysis, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3864-5_10
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