Reference no: EM134012133

Assignment:

PUBLIC HEALTH ETHICS

If public health is what society does collectively to assure the conditions for healthy people, then what are public health ethics? Public health ethics may be defined as the principles and values that help guide actions designed to promote health and prevent injury and disease in the population.

In the TedTalk, Siddhartha Roy shares how he helped prove that Flint's water was contaminated, and he tells a story of science in service to the public good, calling on the next generation of scientists and engineers to dedicate their work to protecting people and the planet.

TedTalk by Siddhartha Roy Science in service to the public good (14 minutes)

First, reflect on the following quotes from the TedTalk.

"Why don't we teach science and engineering like that -- where heroism and public service are seen as key values, because indeed, it's often heroism that is not only the antidote to public indifference, but also to systemic evil like we saw in Flint."

"And so, dream with me what a 21st-century scientist slash engineer could look like: individuals who are driven to master the sciences so that they can serve society, and are also aware of the tremendous power their knowledge and decisions have; folks who are developing their moral courage at all times, and who realize that conflict and controversy are not necessarily bad things if our ultimate loyalty is to the public and the planet."

"These are the people who will stand up like we did in Flint -- not to be saviors or heroes in the media, but altruistic and fundamentally good actors that you and I can trust. Imagine fostering such a public-focused mindset in classes, on service trips and during activities during college or even high school, so that these young minds will hold onto those ideals when they actually enter the real world, whether that be consulting, academia, policy making -- or even becoming the president of a country."

Then, answer at least two of the questions below

1. How do the concepts/questions mentioned in these quotes above apply to your discipline/major/area of interest?
2. Identify the ethical problems from the Flint Water crisis.
3. What factors contribute to a public distrust of government?
4. What is the effect of said distrust?
5. What ways can trust in government be strengthened?
6. What policies and practices do you think should be put in place in order to prevent future crises?