Panel Discussion

The purpose of this session is to understand multiple ways in which public health agencies can be accountable to their constituencies and transparent in priority setting. The session will open with an example from New York where researchers engaged in a public consultation process to determine the publics' understanding and values related to addressing health disparities. A panel discussion will follow that includes representatives of state and local health agencies as well as academics working to develop ethical standards for public health agency accreditation. The discussants will describe the need for ethical principles in the practice of public health, demonstrate how these principles are flexible in accommodating different needs, and articulate how they can lead to greater public trust in the public health system.

Session Objectives: 1. Understand a public consultation process in New York City designed to better understand the public's attitudes and values around health disparities 2. Analyze the ways int Principles of Ethical Practice of Public Health can be applied in different ways to accommodate different approaches to public health agency accreditation 3. Incorporate the Principles of the Ethical Practice of Public Health into efforts at local and state agency levels to accredit public health agencies and programs, including incorporating the Principles within other accreditation efforts.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing