Utilitarian Commitments of Transhumanists and Their Sociopolitical Implications

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-171
Author(s):  
Susan B. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Liberal Democracy ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
The Public ◽  
A Current ◽  
Strong Concern

Though transhumanists proclaim a bedrock commitment to personal autonomy, this commitment is undercut by evidence in their accounts of a utilitarian obligation to enhance. Their arguments invoke parallels with existing measures taken to promote the health and welfare of the public. Thereby, they reflect a current, broader tendency to extend the scope of “public health.” Their argumentative reliance on the sphere of public health manifests transhumanists’ willingness to defend their proposals on a utilitarian basis. Further, to avoid harming children-to-be, parents may be morally obliged to provide whatever bioenhancements are available when they make procreative decisions. Transhumanists’ notion that bioenhancement could be morally required, together with their utilitarian commitments, yields a strong concern that sociopolitical requirements would flow from the implementation of their agenda so as to put liberal democracy at risk. This risk has often been underappreciated by commentators across the spectrum of positions on bioenhancement.

scholarly journals Identifying and bridging the knowledge-to-practice gaps in rehabilitation professionals working with at-risk infants in the public health sector of South Africa: a multimethod study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e039242
Author(s):  
Pragashnie Govender
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Sector

IntroductionEarly childhood is a critical time when the benefits of early interventions are intensified, and the adverse effects of risk can be reduced. For the optimal provision of early intervention, professionals in the field are required to have specialised knowledge and skills in implementing these programmes. In the context of South Africa, there is evidence to suggest that therapists are ill-prepared to handle the unique challenges posed in neonatal intensive care units and wards with at-risk infants in the first few weeks of life. This is attributed to several reasons; however, irrespective of the causative factors, the need to bridge this knowledge-to-practice gap remains essential.Methods and analysisThis study is a multimethod stakeholder-driven study using a scoping review followed by an appreciative inquiry and Delphi process that will aid in the development, implementation and evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention to bridge knowledge-gaps in occupational and physiotherapists working in the field. Therapists currently working in the public health sector will be recruited for participation in the various stages of the study. The analysis will occur via thematic analysis for qualitative data and percentages and frequencies for descriptive quantitative data. Issues around trustworthiness and rigour, and reliability and validity, will be ensured within each of the phases, by use of a content validity index and inter-rater reliability for the Delphi survey; thick descriptions, peer debriefing, member checking and an audit trail for the qualitative data.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received full ethical approval from the Health Research and Knowledge Management Directorate of the Department of Health and a Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders within this study.

Communicating During an Outbreak or Public Health Investigation

2019 ◽  
pp. 243-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbigail J. Tumpey ◽  
David Daigle ◽  
Glen Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Media ◽  
News Media ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media

Effective communication during an outbreak or public health investigation is crucial for fostering adoption of public health recommendations and minimizing or preventing harm. During outbreaks, a comprehensive communication strategy integrating news media, social media, and partner engagement is essential for reaching affected persons and for keeping everyone informed about public health actions and recommendations. The strategies outlined in this chapter are the foundation for rapidly and effectively conveying information and public health recommendations to the persons at risk, the media, and the different entities involved in the response. Regardless of the public health event’s cause, core communication actions and steps will be similar; however, in every outbreak or public health investigation, perceptions and needs will vary among target audiences, partners (i.e., persons or organizations that can play a role in the crisis response), and persons or organizations with a connection or interest in the outbreak (stakeholders).

scholarly journals The Challenges of Being a Family Caregiver During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 552-552
Author(s):  
Gwen McGhan ◽  
Deirdre McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives, but the population most at risk are older adults. Canadians over the age of 60 account for 36% of all COVID-19 cases but 95% of the deaths, and over two-thirds of ICU admissions. Older adults with chronic health conditions are especially at risk. Prior to COVID-19, family caregivers (FCGs) for older adults were managing their caregiving duties at the limits of their emotional, physical and financial capacity. As such, FCGs need special consideration during these times of uncertainty to support them in their role and enable the continuation of care for their older adult family members. This symposium will report on independently conducted studies from across Canada that have examined how the pandemic and associated public health measures have influenced resource utilization by FCGs and the older adults for whom they provide care. McAiney et al’s study examines the deleterious effect of reduced services on community dwelling FCGs and the wellbeing of their family member with dementia. Parmar & Anderson examined the effect of pandemic restrictions on FCGs of frail older adults and found they were experiencing increased distress and decreased wellbeing. Flemons et al report on the experiences of FCGs managing caregiving without critical services and the effect of restrictive visiting policies and the well-being of the caregiving dyad (FCGs and family member with dementia). Finally, McGhan et al will share how FCGs evaluated the efficacy of public health measures and the public health messaging about the pandemic.

Health and Human Rights: Old Wine in New Bottles?

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald M. Oppenheimer ◽  
Ronald Bayer ◽  
James Colgrove
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Health And Human Rights ◽  
The Public ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
The Face

It is one of the remarkable and significant consequence of the AIDS epidemic that out of the context of enormous suffering and death there emerged a forceful set of ideas linking the domains of health and human rights. At first, the effort centered on the observation that protecting individuals from discrimination and unwarranted intrusions on liberty were, contrary to previous epidemics, crucial to protecting the public health and interrupting the spread of HIV But in fairly short order, the scope of the health and human rights perspective expanded dramatically to focus on the ways in which the most fundamental social arrangements rendered individuals and communities vulnerable to HIV Racial and ethnic minorities, those who were marginalized, and women were at risk because of their subordinate status. In the face of such an understanding, nothing short of social change could be adequate to the challenge posed by the AIDS epidemic.

Communicating risk

2020 ◽  
pp. 550-559
Author(s):  
John Ford ◽  
Nick Steel ◽  
Charles Guest
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Environmental Hazards ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
Communicating Risk

By reading this chapter, you will be able to use an understanding of risk perception to communicate about risk more effectively. The health of the public is at risk from a wide range of factors, including harmful food or medicines, poorly controlled infectious diseases, pollutants or natural environmental hazards, and poor diet. Public health practitioners are often involved in minimizing the harm from these risks, and this requires communicating directly to the public or influencing stakeholders.

Biotechnology and the WTO: A Review of some Selective Issues

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Der-Chin Horng
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Options ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
The Public ◽  
Regulatory Challenge ◽  
A Current

AbstractBiotechnology and the WTO have increasingly intersected following the growth of biotech trade. The regulatory challenge of biotechnology is a current subject of debate in the WTO. Biotechnology highlights emerging tensions between the effectiveness of the WTO law on biotech issues and the public health and the non-trade issues of biotech trade. Based on legal analysis, this paper reviews the policy issues caused by biotechnology and its implications on the organization and also considers the kind of policy options needed to achieve an appropriate balance between biotech interests and WTO discipline.

scholarly journals Communicating Uncertainty During Public Health Emergency Events: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 67-108
Author(s):  
Pradeep Sopory ◽  
Ashleigh M. Day ◽  
Julie M. Novak ◽  
Kristin Eckert ◽  
Lillian Wilkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Public ◽  
Emergency Events ◽  
Event Uncertainty ◽  
Uncertainty Information

To answer the question, What are the best ways to communicate uncertainties to public audiences, at-risk communities, and stakeholders during public health emergency events? we conducted a systematic review of published studies, grey literature, and media reports in English and other United Nations (UN) languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. Almost 11,500 titles and abstracts were scanned of which 46 data-based primary studies were selected, which were classified into four methodological streams: Quantitative-comparison groups; Quantitative-descriptive survey; Qualitative; and Mixed-method and case-study. Study characteristics (study method, country, emergency type, emergency phase, at-risk population) and study findings (in narrative form) were extracted from individual studies. The findings were synthesized within methodological streams and evaluated for certainty and confidence. These within-method findings were next synthesized across methodological streams to develop an overarching synthesis of findings. The findings showed that country coverage focused on high and middle-income countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, and the event most covered was infectious disease followed by flood and earthquake. The findings also showed that uncertainty during public health emergency events is a multi-faceted concept with multiple components (e.g., event occurrence, personal and family safety, recovery efforts). There is universal agreement, with some exceptions, that communication to the public should include explicit information about event uncertainties, and this information must be consistent and presented in an easy to understand format. Additionally, uncertainty related to events requires a distinction between uncertainty information and uncertainty experience. At-risk populations experience event uncertainty in the context of many other uncertainties they are already experiencing in their lives due to poverty. Experts, policymakers, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders experience event uncertainty and misunderstand some uncertainty information (e.g., event probabilities) similar to the public. Media professionals provide event coverage under conditions of contradictory and inconsistent event information that can heighten uncertainty experience for all.

Identification and Remediation of At-Risk Student Clinicians in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Martha Wilder Wilson ◽  
Elizabeth Zylla-Jones
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Public ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Remediation Plan ◽  
University Training ◽  
At Risk Student

Abstract The goal of university training programs is to educate speech-language pathology and audiology students to become competent and independent practitioners, with the ability to provide high quality and professional services to the public. This article describes the behaviors of “at-risk” student clinicians, so they may be identified early in their practica and remediation may be implemented. The importance of establishing a student at-risk protocol is discussed as well as a remediation plan for these students. This article summarized the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic’s Student At-Risk Protocol, which may serve as a model for university training programs. The challenges of implementing such a protocol are also discussed.

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