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Showing posts with the label PublicHealth

Euthanasia (#7 of 40)

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The Last Right:  A Human Right to Die with Dignity and Autonomy by John Jolissaint We often hear that pain is temporary, that time heals all wounds, that things will get better eventually. But what if they don’t? What if the pain is chronic, the wounds are deep, the things are broken beyond repair? What if we have to live with the pain, not just for a while, but for the rest of our lives? Is that a fate worse than death, or is there a way to find meaning and purpose in our suffering? Imagine that you are diagnosed with a terminal illness that causes you unbearable pain and suffering, and that there is no cure or treatment that can improve your condition or prolong your life. For many people who are in this situation, the answer is clear: they would want to end their lives peacefully and comfortably, on their own terms and timing, with the help of a doctor who respects their wishes and values. They would want to exercise their human right to die with dignity and autonomy. Euthanasia , a

Mandatory Health Measures (#5 of 40 series)

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  5 of 40 I really hate this topic. Sorry.  Mandatory health measures in healthcare are interventions that require individuals or groups to comply with certain actions or behaviors for the purpose of protecting or improving public health.  Examples include vaccination, screening, quarantine, isolation, and mask-wearing.  While these measures are effective in preventing disease spread, they also raise ethical questions.  Balancing public health benefits with individual autonomy, ensuring necessity and fairness, addressing potential harms, and engaging with affected communities are key ethical considerations.  Recommendations include assessing ethical implications, involving affected communities, and monitoring outcomes.  By following ethical principles and recommendations, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners can promote justified and acceptable mandatory health measures that respect individual rights, foster trust, and enhance population health. Thank fuck that's over. - JJ

The Pharmaceutical Industry and Drug Addiction: A Crisis and an Opportunity (#2 or 40 series)

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#2 of 40 Drug addiction is a serious and complex problem that affects millions of people around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 269 million people used drugs in 2018, and 35.6 million suffered from drug use disorders. (1) Drug addiction can cause physical, mental, social, and economic harm to individuals, families, and communities. It can also increase the risk of infectious diseases, violence, crime, and overdose deaths. Honestly, I thought there would be more people than that. Take away the radically religious places (cough Dubai)....I just thought there would be more than 269 million. For a size reference, the entire US population is 330 million.  While there are many factors that contribute to drug addiction, such as genetic, psychological, environmental, and cultural influences, one of the major drivers of the current drug crisis is the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for developing, producing, and marketin

Universal Healthcare and Health Equity

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Healthcare,  a term that can evoke a spectrum of emotions. For some, it's a lifeline, a beacon of hope.  For myself, it's a labyrinth of bureaucracy, a relentless financial leviathan that seems to grow with each passing year. Regardless of your perspective, one thing is indisputable: healthcare is a universal concern , a subject that touches every life. It's a subject that's primed for a robust, thought-provoking debate. So, shall we start? I. Universal Healthcare Social Justice or Government Overreach? On one side of the divide, it's hailed as a vehicle for social justice, a means to guarantee that every citizen, irrespective of their socioeconomic standing, has access to the healthcare they require. A case in point is India's Chhattisgarh State, where the roll-out of a universal National Health Insurance Scheme in 2012 led to a surge in hospital utilization and a decrease in out-of-pocket expenditure , particularly benefiting women, rural dwellers, and econom

The Imperative of Extending Healthcare to All Immigrants: A Matter of Ethics, Economics, and Public Health

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The ongoing debate about extending healthcare to all immigrants often centers on ethical, economic, and public health considerations. As we navigate this complex issue, it is crucial to ground our discussions in evidence-based arguments. Ethical Considerations At its core, healthcare is a fundamental human right , not a privilege contingent on immigration status. Denying healthcare based on this status is a form of discrimination that contradicts the principle of universal human dignity. As healthcare professionals, we have a duty of care to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. This duty aligns with the ethical principles of fairness and justice, which demand equal access to healthcare. Economic Implications Contrary to common misconceptions, providing healthcare to immigrants can lead to significant economic benefits . For instance, preventive care for immigrants can reduce long-term healthcare costs . The cost of treating advanced diseases is often higher than p