Ethics of Infectious Disease

Examination of the role of ethical decision-making when controlling infectious disease epidemics. Applies classic public health ethics of balancing individual liberty vs. public good to the new global health context of emerging infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and SARS, plus re-emerging infectious diseases such as multidrug-resistant TB, polio, and cholera. Explores questions of resource allocation, mandatory or voluntary prevention measures, and ethical obligations of health care workers vs. responsibilities of individuals in the context of new global public health. Prior global health coursework recommended.