1. Ethical Foundations

2. Ethics
The study of morality
Ethics vs morals

3. Ethics and Health Education
Ethical behavior is conscious behavior
Ethical behavior is acting with integrity.
Moral positions require thought and are NOT primarily dependent on feelings.

4. Consequentialism (teleologial)
Evaluates the moral status of an act by looking at the consequences
The END (consequences) does justify the Means (the act).

5. AKA: deontological or nonconsequentialism
Formalism
AKA: deontological or nonconsequentialism
Determine morality by whether or not an act is right or wrong in itself
The END (consequences) does not justify the Means (the act)

6. Basic Principles for Common Moral Ground

7. #1: Value of Life Principle
“Human beings should revere life and accept death.” (Cottrell et al, p. 147)
No life should be ended without very strong justification.

8. #2: Goodness (rightness) Principle
Good and right are at the core of every ethical decision.
Two categories:
Beneficence or benevolence:
Promotes the welfare of others
Nonmaleficence:
Do not cause needless harm or injury to others
Commission = harm from action
Omission = harm from inaction

9. #3: Justice/Fairness Principle
We can expect to be treated justly and fairly in our dealings with other people and institutions.

10. #4: Truth Telling (honesty) Principle
Communicating truth is essential to morality.

11. #5: Individual Freedom Principle
AKA: Equity or Autonomy
Having and respecting the origins of individuals to deliberate, choose, and act within the framework of the other basic principles.

12. The “critical imperative” (Mellert, 1995)
Would you want your course of action to be a model for others?
If others were faced with the same decision, is this how you would want them to act?

13. Making Ethical Decisions
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

14. Consideration for Health Educators
Confidentiality
Guided by HIPAA
Informed Consent
Negligence
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15. Code of Ethics
“…document that maps the dimensions of the profession’s collective social responsibility and acknowledges the obligations individual practitioners share in meeting the profession’s responsibilities.” (Cottrell et al., p. 161)

16. Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession
Article I: Responsibility to the Public
Article II: Responsibility to the Profession
Article III: Responsibility to Employers
Article IV: Responsibility to the Delivery of Health Education
Article V: Responsibility to Research and Evaluation
Article VI: Responsibility to Professional Preparation