Social  Justice  and  equity

Health care may be the defining political and moral issue of our time.  This unit prepares students to take part in an important national discussion, encourages a civic-minded approach to public policy, and raises ethical questions that will shape the future of our society.

Students adopt a fact-centered statistical approach (using census figures and other tools) in order to determine inequity of access to health care services, who is most affected, and what realistic steps may be taken to improve the situation. The notion of a zombie apocalypse provides an extreme example of a health crisis that will provide a captivating backdrop to the epidemiological focus of the unit.

This unit culminates in a public health campaign that represents a socially just service learning activity. Visit the Service Learning tab and the Unit Calendar, Days 9-10 (Class Session 5) for additional details.

What is our ethical responsibility to care for the sick?

• Should the government require vaccinations for all citizens? What counterarguments might be raised against this?

• Is access to health care a privilege or a right?
  

• Do pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to keep their prices low?