Required Textbook Landesman L Gershon R Gebble E And Merd

Required Textbook Landesman L Gershon R Gebble En And Merd

Required textbook: Landesman, L., Gershon, R., Gebble, E.N., and Merdjanoff, A.A. (2021), Public Health Management of Disasters (5th edition), American Public Health Association. Read Chapter 15 and Appendix BB. If you have not already, please watch the video from the Overview, and read the article I posted in an announcement on February 11, "New development: Digital social care—the ‘high-tech and low-touch’ transformation in public services." Since we have been incorporating AI throughout our term, what are the ethical implications of the use of AI in public health preparedness and disaster response? Be sure to use the video, text, and the article in your initial post, and you may incorporate the research that you have been doing for your final project. post a 500-word reply to this question Required weekly videos to view:

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into public health preparedness and disaster response has been transformative, offering innovative solutions to complex challenges. However, this technological advancement raises significant ethical concerns that must be carefully examined. Drawing on the textbook “Public Health Management of Disasters” (Landesman et al., 2021), the recent article on digital social care, and relevant video insights, this paper explores the ethical implications of AI use in these critical public health sectors.

One of the foremost ethical considerations is privacy and data security. AI systems in public health rely heavily on collecting vast amounts of personal data to inform responses, predict outbreaks, and allocate resources efficiently. As Landesman et al. (2021) highlight, safeguarding individual privacy is paramount, especially in disaster scenarios where sensitive information is highly vulnerable to breaches. The article on digital social care emphasizes how data sharing must be transparent and consensual, but often, during emergencies, rapid data collection may sideline privacy concerns, risking misuse or unauthorized access. Ethical AI deployment must ensure data protection and uphold individuals' rights, even amid urgent public health needs.

Another critical issue is equity and social justice. AI solutions have the potential to exacerbate existing disparities if not carefully managed. The digital social care article exemplifies how marginalized communities might lack access to the necessary technology or digital literacy, leading to unequal benefits from AI-driven interventions. Landesman et al. (2021) warn that without deliberate efforts, AI tools could reinforce biases, disproportionately disadvantaging vulnerable populations during disaster responses. Ethical implementation requires ongoing assessment of AI systems to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and equitable distribution of resources.

Furthermore, accountability is a pressing ethical concern. When AI systems make or inform decisions—such as triaging patients or distributing aid—there must be clarity about responsibility. The overview video stresses that AI is a tool, not a decision-maker; human oversight remains essential to prevent errors and biases. In disasters, where lives are at stake, ethical responsibility must be shared among developers, policymakers, and practitioners to ensure AI applications serve the public interest without unintended harm.

Finally, transparency and public engagement are vital. Trust in AI technologies hinges on understanding how these systems operate. The article and video emphasize that public health authorities should communicate openly about AI methods, limitations, and decision-making criteria to foster trust. Transparency also allows for accountability and enables communities to voice concerns, aligning AI deployment with ethical standards of respect and participation.

In conclusion, while AI holds significant promise for enhancing public health disaster responses, its ethical implications—particularly regarding privacy, equity, accountability, and transparency—must not be overlooked. Responsible AI use requires rigorous safeguards, inclusive practices, and ongoing dialogue to ensure that technological advances benefit all segments of society ethically and justly.

References

• Landesman, L., Gershon, R., Gebble, E.N., & Merdjanoff, A.A. (2021). Public Health Management of Disasters (5th ed.). American Public Health Association.
• Digital social care: The ‘high-tech and low-touch’ transformation in public services. (2023, February 11). [URL of the article]
• Insert additional credible sources here, following proper APA citation style.