Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health

The exercise of government powers for the health of its population raises ethical issues, such as public welfare, individual autonomy and freedom, privacy and confidentiality, just distribution of benefits and burdens, transparency, and public accountability. Conflicts among these values often arise and how they should be balanced will vary on a case-by-case basis, weighing costs against benefits. This entry discusses justifications for government action in public health, the tension between individual freedom and public health, issues of distributive justice in public health, and ethical guidelines for public health policymaking.