1
|
Shandera WX. COVID-19 ethics: unique aspects and a review as of early 2024. Monash Bioeth Rev 2024:10.1007/s40592-024-00199-x. [PMID: 39003388 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-024-00199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 presents a variety of ethical challenges in a set of arenas, arenas not always considered in past pandemics. These challenges include issues related to autonomy, distributive ethics, and the establishment of policies of equity and justice. Methods are a literature review based on regular editing of an online textbook during the COVID-19 outbreak and a literature review using key ethical terms. Patients are confronted with new issues related to autonomy. Providers need to expand their concepts of ethical issues to include decisions based on proportionality and public health ethics. The public health sector needs to assess the beneficence of alternative modes of disease control. The research community needs to redefine the concept of informed consent in emergent conditions. All elements of the medical spectrum-physicians, scientists, and the community-at-large including the pharmaceutical industry-need to consider the multifaceted methods for preventing future pandemics. This will require giving particular emphasis to public health funding and ending the documented discrimination that exists in the provision of proven therapies. The developing world is especially at risk for most of the ethical issues, especially those related to equity and justice. The ethical issues associated with the COVID-19 outbreak are not unique but provide a diverse set of issues that apply to patients, providers, social groups, and investigators. The further study of such issues can help with preventing future outbreaks.
Collapse
|
2
|
Stokes K, Piaggio D, De Micco F, Zarro M, De Benedictis A, Tambone V, Moon M, Maccaro A, Pecchia L. The Use of Contact Tracing Technologies for Infection Prevention and Control Purposes in Nosocomial Settings: A Systematic Literature Review. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:519-530. [PMID: 38920895 PMCID: PMC11203438 DOI: 10.3390/idr16030039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pandemic management and preparedness are more needed than ever before and there is widespread governmental interest in learning from the COVID-19 pandemic in order to ensure the availability of evidence-based Infection Prevention and Control measures. Contact tracing is integral to Infection Prevention and Control, facilitating breaks in the chain of transmission in a targeted way, identifying individuals who have come into contact with an infected person, and providing them with instruction/advice relating to testing, medical advice and/or self-isolation. AIM This study aims to improve our understanding of the use of contact tracing technologies in healthcare settings. This research seeks to contribute to the field of Infection Prevention and Control by investigating how these technologies can mitigate the spread of nosocomial infections. Ultimately, this study aims to improve the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted, and journal articles investigating the use of contact tracing technologies in healthcare settings were retrieved from databases held on the OvidSP platform between March and September 2022, with no date for a lower limit. RESULTS In total, 277 studies were retrieved and screened, and 14 studies were finally included in the systematic literature review. Most studies investigated proximity sensing technologies, reporting promising results. However, studies were limited by small sample sizes and confounding factors, revealing contact tracing technologies remain at a nascent stage. Investment in research and development of new testing technologies is necessary to strengthen national and international contact tracing capabilities. CONCLUSION This review aims to contribute to those who intend to create robust surveillance systems and implement infectious disease reporting protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katy Stokes
- Applied Biomedical Signal Processing Intelligent eHealth Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (K.S.); (D.P.); (M.Z.); (A.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Davide Piaggio
- Applied Biomedical Signal Processing Intelligent eHealth Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (K.S.); (D.P.); (M.Z.); (A.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Francesco De Micco
- Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy;
- Department of Clinical Affair, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Roma, Italy;
| | - Marianna Zarro
- Applied Biomedical Signal Processing Intelligent eHealth Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (K.S.); (D.P.); (M.Z.); (A.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Anna De Benedictis
- Department of Clinical Affair, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Roma, Italy;
- Research Unit of Nursing Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Vittoradolfo Tambone
- Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy;
| | - Madison Moon
- Infection Prevention and Control Consultant, Toronto, M4Y 3C8, Canada;
| | - Alessia Maccaro
- Applied Biomedical Signal Processing Intelligent eHealth Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (K.S.); (D.P.); (M.Z.); (A.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Leandro Pecchia
- Applied Biomedical Signal Processing Intelligent eHealth Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (K.S.); (D.P.); (M.Z.); (A.M.); (L.P.)
- Biomedical Engineering (Electronic and Informatics Bioengineering), Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Regazzoni CJ. World health order. J Glob Health 2024; 14:03023. [PMID: 38574352 PMCID: PMC10994669 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.03023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Javier Regazzoni
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kennedy University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Committee on Global Health and Human Security, Argentine Council on Foreign Relations, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mac-Seing M, Gidey M, Di Ruggiero E. COVID-19-related global health governance and population health priorities for health equity in G20 countries: a scoping review. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:232. [PMID: 37924074 PMCID: PMC10625304 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-02045-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion of health equity including the health of various population sub-groups has been compromised, human rights jeopardised, and social inequities further exacerbated. Citizens worldwide, including in the Group of 20 (G20) countries, were affected by both global health governance (GHG) processes and decisions and public health measures taken by governments to respond to COVID-19. While it is critical to swiftly respond to COVID-19, little is known about how and to what extent the GHG is affecting population health priorities for health equity in global economies such as the G20 countries. This scoping review synthesised and identified knowledge gaps on how the COVID-19-related GHG is affecting population health priorities for policy, programme, and research in G20 countries. We followed the five-stage scoping review methodology promoted by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We searched four bibliographic databases for references conducted in G20 countries and regions and published in English and French, between January 2020 and April 2023. Out of 4,625 references and after two phases of screening, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. G20 countries included in the review were Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union. We found insufficient collaboration and coordination and misalignment among governance actors at multiple levels. In most cases, equity considerations were not prioritised while unequal consequences of COVID-19 public health measures on population groups were widely reported. COVID-19-related population health priorities mainly focused on upstream and midstream determinants of health. Our scoping review showed the stark inequities of COVID-19 public health outcomes, coupled with a prevalent lack of coherent collaboration and coordination among governance actors. Moreover, governance as an object of empirical study is still emerging when examining its intersection with global health and population health policy, programme, and research. An urgent shift is required to effectively act upon structural health determinants that include transformative and comprehensive policies for prevention, equity, resilience, and sustainable health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Mac-Seing
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division & Centre for Global Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
| | - Meron Gidey
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Erica Di Ruggiero
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation & Centre for Global Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lotto M, Hanjahanja-Phiri T, Padalko H, Oetomo A, Butt ZA, Boger J, Millar J, Cruvinel T, Morita PP. Ethical principles for infodemiology and infoveillance studies concerning infodemic management on social media. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1130079. [PMID: 37033062 PMCID: PMC10076562 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1130079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Big data originating from user interactions on social media play an essential role in infodemiology and infoveillance outcomes, supporting the planning and implementation of public health actions. Notably, the extrapolation of these data requires an awareness of different ethical elements. Previous studies have investigated and discussed the adoption of conventional ethical approaches in the contemporary public health digital surveillance space. However, there is a lack of specific ethical guidelines to orient infodemiology and infoveillance studies concerning infodemic on social media, making it challenging to design digital strategies to combat this phenomenon. Hence, it is necessary to explore if traditional ethical pillars can support digital purposes or whether new ones must be proposed since we are confronted with a complex online misinformation scenario. Therefore, this perspective provides an overview of the current scenario of ethics-related issues of infodemiology and infoveillance on social media for infodemic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Lotto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Halyna Padalko
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Arlene Oetomo
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Zahid Ahmad Butt
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Boger
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Millar
- Faculty of Engineering, School of Engineering Design and Teaching Innovation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Thiago Cruvinel
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Plinio P. Morita
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Centre for Digital Therapeutics, Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Plinio P. Morita,
| |
Collapse
|