Digitalization is making significant advancements in public health, but does it lead to good healthcare for everyone? Our analysis presents the accomplishments of digitalization in the field of public health and explores their ethical implications, for example, regarding access to healthcare. The analysis focuses on the ethical obligation of society to provide alternatives to digital public health services for those who cannot or do not wish to participate in digital healthcare. In the present transitional period, we suggest that such an obligation (still) exists. We draw our analysis on the principles of public health ethics, including the well-being and health of the population as a value, societal responsibility, justice and equality, and health as a fundamental element of a good life. Different challenges are identified for various groups due to age-related physical and mental limitations, illness, disabilities, and marginalized social categories. We highlight the distinct needs and claims of these groups based on ethical values in public health ethics. Society bears the responsibility of providing alternative solutions for those who are physically incapable of participating in digital processes. Similarly, for individuals and groups who desire inclusion but face inadequate representation, societal efforts must be made to integrate them into digital public health initiatives. However, we face a more complex ethical question regarding the societal obligation to support individuals who willingly abstain from digitalization. Overall, the analysis emphasizes the importance of considering ethical obligations in the context of digital public health, encompassing both the provision of alternatives for those unable to engage and the inclusion of those currently excluded from digital processes.

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Public Health Goes Digital—Or Not? Ethical Considerations Concerning Limits and Necessary Alternatives

  • Dagmar Borchers,
  • Regina Müller

摘要

Digitalization is making significant advancements in public health, but does it lead to good healthcare for everyone? Our analysis presents the accomplishments of digitalization in the field of public health and explores their ethical implications, for example, regarding access to healthcare. The analysis focuses on the ethical obligation of society to provide alternatives to digital public health services for those who cannot or do not wish to participate in digital healthcare. In the present transitional period, we suggest that such an obligation (still) exists. We draw our analysis on the principles of public health ethics, including the well-being and health of the population as a value, societal responsibility, justice and equality, and health as a fundamental element of a good life. Different challenges are identified for various groups due to age-related physical and mental limitations, illness, disabilities, and marginalized social categories. We highlight the distinct needs and claims of these groups based on ethical values in public health ethics. Society bears the responsibility of providing alternative solutions for those who are physically incapable of participating in digital processes. Similarly, for individuals and groups who desire inclusion but face inadequate representation, societal efforts must be made to integrate them into digital public health initiatives. However, we face a more complex ethical question regarding the societal obligation to support individuals who willingly abstain from digitalization. Overall, the analysis emphasizes the importance of considering ethical obligations in the context of digital public health, encompassing both the provision of alternatives for those unable to engage and the inclusion of those currently excluded from digital processes.