Science & social responsibility in public health

Epidemiologists Kids Inflatable Arch 20 and health researchers from theenvironment have a common responsibility to acquire scientific knowledge that issues of public health andapply knowledge acquired in the practice of public health. We examine the nature and source of these social responsibilities, discuss witha debate in the epidemiological literature on the r?and the responsibilities, and cite approaches to environmental justice reflected fromthem. to a certain level, responsibility refers to responsibility as being responsible for actions taken. A deep sense of responsibility corresponds to thecommitment to the pursuit and realization ofan end ofvalue thePublic health ethics is on the map. In the last year, bioethicists and public health practitioners have begun to focus their critical attention on this complex and understudied. Much remains to be done. Childress et al. (2002), for example, describe their account of thepublic health ethics as a rough conceptual map ofa land whose boundaries are undefined. Our emphasis will be placed on the responsibilities of epidemiologists, toa choice made for several compelling reasons. Epidemiology is the center of the science and practice of environmental health and, more generally, in the center of public health. Although itIt is often referred to as a basic science of public health, epidemiology connects thethe scientific knowledge of its application in prevention interventions, programs and policies. This connection suggests a fundamental question: What are our responsibilities as epidemiologists?Should we, for example, have a common responsibility to participate in science and apply the knowledge acquired?It 'acts ofa major concern for us as researchers, health professionals, and teachers. The social responsibility of public health professionals n 'is thatOne of many concerns in the broader context ofpublic health ethics. It is still a central preoccupation. As Ogletree (1996) reminds us, responsibility is a concept suited to the flame of many essential aspects of theProfessional ethics faced with making decisions and taking action in complex situations. These decisions often involve high technology, a high level of specialization and areas of overlapping jurisdiction andconcern among policy makers in various educational, political, and social backgrounds, the precise situation in theepidemiology and public health today. In sum, the responsibility of organizing many (but not all) issues ofpublic health ethics in conditions appropriate for professional practitioners. Responsibility has a deeper meaning, and which corresponds to thecommitment. To be?Responsible?means ofbe committed to somebodyone or something. be responsible in this sense implies a deeper commitment to theaffirmative action for the pursuit and achievement of something of value, as a social good (Jonas, 1984). We return to the notion of social goods of public health. Formoment, we emphasize the responsibility that focuses theattention to professional commitments Finally, our investigation is intended to help all public health researchers who seek to define their social responsibilities. For those who are mainly involved in research in environmental health, we can think of at least two connected subjects and courses - environmental justice and community participatory research.