Ethics in a Pandemic: A Survey of the State Pandemic Influenza Plans

Thomas, James C.; Dasgupta, Nabarun; & Martinot, Amanda. (2007). Ethics in a Pandemic: A Survey of the State Pandemic Influenza Plans. American Journal of Public Health, 97(Suppl. 1), S26-31. PMCID: PMC1854979

Reference Type:
Journal Article

Secondary Title:

Series Title:

Author(s):
Thomas, James C.
Dasgupta, Nabarun
Martinot, Amanda

Editor(s):

Series Author(s):

Year Published:
2007

Date Published:

Journal Name:
American Journal of Public Health

Volume Number:
97

Issue Number:
Suppl. 1

Start Page Number:
S26-31

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Edition:

Series Volume:

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City of Publication:

ISSN/ISBN:

DOI:
10.2105/AJPH.2006.093443

PMCID:
PMC1854979

NIHMSID:

Reference ID:
5149

Miscellaneous:

Abstract:

A pandemic of highly pathogenic influenza would threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands in the United States and confront governments and organizations, with ethical issues having wide-ranging implications. The Department of Health and Human Services and all states have published pandemic influenza plans.

We analyzed the federal and state plans, available on the Internet, for evidence of ethical guidance as judged by the presence of ethical terms. The most striking finding was an absence of ethical language. Although some states acknowledged the need for ethical decisionmaking, very few prescribed how it should happen. If faced by a pandemic in the near future, we stand the risk of making many unjust and regrettable decisions.

Keyword(s):
Population and Health Policies and Programs

URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.093443

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Citation:

Thomas, James C.; Dasgupta, Nabarun; & Martinot, Amanda. (2007). Ethics in a Pandemic: A Survey of the State Pandemic Influenza Plans. American Journal of Public Health, 97(Suppl. 1), S26-31. PMCID: PMC1854979