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Principles for the Justification of Public Health Intervention

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Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to discuss principles relevant to ethical deliberation in public health.

Methods: Conceptual analysis and literature review.

Results: Four principles are identified: The Harm Principle, The Principle of Least Restrictive Means, The Reciprocity Principle, and The Transparency Principle. Two examples of how the principles are applied in practice are provided.

Interpretation: The paper illustrates how clinical ethics is not an appropriate model for public health ethics and argues that the type of reasoning involved in public health ethics may be at potential variance from that of empirical science. Further research and debate on the appropriate ethics for public health are required.

Résumé

Objectifs: Étudier les principes d’un débat éthique en santé publique.

Méthode: Analyse notionnelle et enquête bibliographique.

Résultats: Nous avons cerné quatre principes (réduction des méfaits, choix des moyens les moins restrictifs, réciprocité et transparence) et fourni deux exemples de leur application dans la pratique.

Interprétation: Le modèle de déontologie clinique ne convient pas à la santé publique, car le type de raisonnement employé pour les questions éthiques en santé publique peut être différent de celui des sciences empiriques. Il faudrait pousser la recherche et le débat pour définir un modèle éthique qui convienne à la santé publique.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Public Health Sciences and The Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Primary Care Research Unit, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    R. E. G. Upshur MA, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Authors
  1. R. E. G. Upshur MA, MD, MSc, FRCPC
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. E. G. Upshur MA, MD, MSc, FRCPC.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: Dr. Upshur is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award and a Research Scholarship from the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. The author thanks Shari Gruman for her assistance in preparing the manuscript.

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Upshur, R.E.G. Principles for the Justification of Public Health Intervention. Can J Public Health 93, 101–103 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404547

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404547

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