Public health ethics are often viewed as requiring foundational principles that are distinct from those of medical ethics. In particular, public health ethics requires greater consideration of the role the state has in the provision of medicine and greater emphasis on collective and public goods. These considerations will become even more applicable and relevant has public health crises associated with pandemics and climate chance increase in severity and frequency.

This elective will offer students the opportunity to explore in detail the foundational principles of public health ethics, and the implications these principles have for public health interventions.