Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112916

Isaac M.T. Mwase, PhD, MDiv, MBA, National Bioethics Center/Project EXPORT, Tuskegee University, Drew Hall 203, Tuskegee, AL 36088, 334-727-8211, mwase@knology.net, Jeffrey Kahn, PhD, MPH, Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota, N504 Boynton, 410 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0346, Anna Mastroianni, JD, MPH, University of Washington School of Law & Institute for Public Health Genetics, William H. Gates Hall, Box 353020, Seattle, WA 98195-3020, Bruce Jennings, MA, Yale School of Medicine, The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY 10524, and Lisa Parker, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Education, University of Pittsburgh - Center for Bioethics and Health Law, Medical Arts Building, Suite 300; 3708 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

In 2003, ASPH released curriculum modules for use in the teaching of public health ethics. Access to the curriculum is free: (http://www.sphs.org/document.cfm?page=782). Although there are 9 modules in existence, there are gaps in the topics covered by the Model Curriculum.

Two examples of additional topics for consideration include Bioterrorism and Health Disparities . The threat of bioterrorism has become pronounced in light of post 9/11 anxieties. Significant federal and state appropriations seek to sharpen our preparedness to combat mass epidemics. What are the key ethics concerns that need to be addressed by public health education and training when war may increasingly involve epidemics rather than soldiers, guns, and bombs, which bring their own ethical issues?

Health disparities raise many ethical issues in public health. Even though there is growing attention to health disparities, more is needed. Particular focus should be on ethical issues at the intersection of public health and health disparities, not simply on issues of medical care. As knowledge about health disparities grows it should be translated into education and training not only for those running programs and making policies, but also for people who work directly to reduce health disparities and those being underserved by the health care system.

This panel, which includes curriculum editors, will discuss the development and uses of the Model Curriculum in Ethics and Public Health, identify topic areas that might be added since creation of the curriculum and solicit ideas and opinions from those in attendance for expanding and using the curriculum.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the panel participants should be able to
• 1. Identify the topics addressed in the Model Ethical Curriculum.
• 2. Describe additional topics that ought to be added to the Curriculum.
• 3. Articulate a plan for the development of modules for possible addition to the Curriculum.

Keywords: Curricula, Public Health Education

Related Web page: www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=723

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation