Due 7/25 5 PM EST - 500 Words, Min 3 References, Apathy Chat
Due 725 5 Pm Est500 Words Not Including Min 3 Ref Apathe Challenges
Due 725 5 Pm Est 500 Words Not Including Min 3 Ref Apathe Challenges
DUE 7/25 5 P.M EST 500 WORDS not including min 3 ref APA The challenges associated with monitoring public health increase in developing countries. Due to a lack of a robust infrastructure in many developing nations, a considerable number of diseases and conditions go unmonitored. In today’s climate of global interconnectivity, the failure to detect an emerging threat in a developing country could very well result in a pandemic spreading around the world. This is one of several possible implications of inadequate disease surveillance. The Discussion this week is concerned with how inadequate surveillance might influence ethical decision making in developing countries.
To prepare Analyze the ethical considerations associated with insufficient surveillance. Consider your own position on who should be held responsible for public health in developing countries. Post an analysis of the ethical implications of not investigating diseases/conditions in developing countries. Formulate a position on who should be held responsible for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring public health surveillance systems in developing countries. Support your suggestions with additional scholarly resources. Use APA formatting for your Discussion and to cite your resources.
Paper For Above instruction
Effective public health surveillance is fundamental to identifying, monitoring, and responding to health threats. In developing countries, however, there are significant ethical challenges associated with insufficient surveillance systems, primarily due to inadequate infrastructure, resource constraints, and political will. These deficiencies complicate the ethical landscape because they directly influence the health outcomes of populations and the global community, raising questions about responsibility, justice, and equity.
One of the core ethical considerations relates to justice and equity. When surveillance systems fail or are absent, it primarily affects marginalized populations who are least able to advocate for themselves or access healthcare. This disparity raises questions about fairness and the global obligation to reduce health inequities (Peters et al., 2008). By neglecting surveillance, the international community effectively neglects the health rights of vulnerable populations, perpetuating cycles of disease and poverty. Ethically, there is an obligation to ensure that all populations have equitable access to health monitoring and prevention services, which is fundamental to global health justice (Gostin et al., 2010).
Furthermore, failing to detect and investigate diseases in developing countries can have dire consequences beyond local populations. The interconnectedness of modern societies means that health threats originating in one nation can rapidly spread worldwide, as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic (Kandel et al., 2020). Ethically, neglecting surveillance in developing regions jeopardizes global health security, thus raising questions about collective responsibility under the principle of solidarity (Benatar & Brock, 2011). This shared responsibility underscores the need for a concerted effort by international agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations to establish and support robust surveillance systems.
Responsibility for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring public health surveillance in developing countries is complex. While domestic governments are ethically obligated to protect their populations, many lack the necessary resources and expertise. Therefore, international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) should play a leadership role in capacity building, funding, and technical support (Lee, 2010). Additionally, developed countries have an ethical responsibility—rooted in principles of global justice—to assist in strengthening health infrastructure where it is lacking (Benatar, 2013). This collective responsibility aligns with the ethical concept of beneficence, emphasizing actions that promote well-being and prevent harm globally.
In conclusion, the ethical implications of insufficient disease surveillance in developing countries are profound, involving issues of justice, global responsibility, and justice-based obligations. Addressing these challenges necessitates a collaborative approach that involves both national governments and international partners. The ethical imperative extends beyond national borders, demanding a commitment to health equity and global health security. Ensuring surveillance systems are established, supported, and effectively operated is a moral obligation that ultimately benefits both local populations and the world at large.
References
- Benatar, S., & Brock, D. (2011). Global health: Ethical challenges. Journal of Global Ethics, 7(2), 147-159.
- Benatar, S. (2013). Global health ethics. Cambridge University Press.
- Gostin, L. O., et al. (2010). Global health and human rights: A key to sustainable health development. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(4), 674-684.
- Kandel, N., et al. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on health systems and policy responses. The Lancet, 396(10258), 443-445.
- Lee, K. (2010). Global health governance. Routledge.
- Peters, D. H., et al. (2008). Poverty and access to health care. The Lancet, 372(9641), 1761-1769.